As the race to discover Nigeria’s next generation of star athletes intensifies, MTN Nigeria, through its flagship MTN Champs initiative, has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing future Olympians and global champions.
The MTN Champs programme aims to invest in the future of Nigerian youth through mentorship, development programmes, and scholarships, identifying talent at the grassroots level and providing the support needed to groom the nation’s future sporting heroes.
Season 3 of the competition, which ran from 9th to 12th April 2025, was held across the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex and the University of Lagos Sports Complex. A total of 2,505 athletes competed in various categories, delivering extraordinary performances that earned them medals and accolades.
Among the highlights, Lucy Nwankwo dominated the 100m women’s junior final, claiming gold with a Personal Best (PB) of 11.99 seconds. Following closely, Mercy Ogbonna secured silver with a PB of 12.16 seconds, while Azeezat Muhammed-Raji took home bronze with 12.18 seconds.
The women’s senior 100m final stood out as Iyanuoluwa Bada of Team NSDC achieved an impressive PB of 11.30 seconds to clinch gold—her third consecutive PB in this season’s event. “I’m happy to be here because there’s a competition for us to showcase ourselves, outside of constant training,” said Bada, who clocked 11.48 seconds in the preliminaries and 11.38 seconds in the semi-finals before her triumphant finish in the final.
In the men’s 100m senior final, all eyes were on Olympic sprinter Favour “The Nigerian Nightmare” Ashe, making his first MTN Champs appearance. Ashe delivered on expectations, taking gold with a PB of 10.28 seconds. Ashe, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s fastest sprinters, made history in 2024 by becoming the first Nigerian to achieve five sub-10-second finishes in the 100m.
Lucy Nwankwo expressed her excitement following her victory. “I’m very elated to have won the race,” she said. “I’ve been praying and practising for a PB of 11 seconds. I’ve been running 12 seconds, but today I achieved 11.99 seconds, which is a new record for me.” Nwankwo credited her success to intense daily training, stating, “There is no magic to winning medals or setting PBs—it’s all about hard work.”
Another standout athlete, Soyode Rhema, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete. “I feel so nice and I’m grateful for the chance to show my talent,” said Rhema, who contributed to the gold medal win in the Youth U17 Boys’ 4x100m relay race. Rhema spoke about balancing training with academic demands, saying, “I had to stop training for a while to prepare for my JAMB examinations, but I’m back fresh and ready. MTN Champs has given me the platform to showcase my abilities, and I’m thankful for that recognition.”
During the closing ceremony, Ugonwa Nwoye, Chief Customer Relations Officer for MTN Nigeria, reflected on the impact of the event. “From its inception, MTN Champs aimed to identify and nurture future Olympians. This competition is not just an event—it’s a legacy,” she said.
Director-General of the Lagos Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, praised the athletes and acknowledged the event’s contribution to Nigeria’s sporting future. “This prestigious competition nurtures the next generation of sports stars. A special moment was the incredible performance of 13-year-old Michael Nkuku, who set a new high jump record. His accomplishment serves as inspiration to his peers and shows what dedication can achieve,” Fatodu remarked.
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