The MTN CHAMPS Season 3 Classics, held on March 15 in Benin City, featured over 2,000 young athletes competing. Highlights included David Efetobore winning gold in the senior boys’ 100m and 200m events, and Grace Oyibu clinching victory in the junior girls’ 200m. Founder Bambo Akani noted the growth of the event, mentioning plans for future competitions in Lagos and Uyo, supporting MTN’s mission to empower young athletes.
The MTN CHAMPS Season 3 Classics concluded on March 15 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, showcasing the talents of over 2,000 athletes across different categories. This event, part of Nigeria’s grassroots athletics development, emphasized the capabilities of young athletes, with various competitions for cadet, youth, and junior categories.
Notably, Delta State’s David Efetobore excelled by securing gold in both the senior boys’ 100m and 200m races, clocking an impressive time of 21.53 seconds in the 200m. Additionally, Grace Oyibu of Onicha-Ugbo Mixed Secondary School won the junior girls’ 200m event, demonstrating her prowess with a time of 24.57 seconds.
The event also highlighted emerging talents like 12-year-old Joel Oghele in the youth boys’ 200m, who exhibited commendable composure among older competitors. Bayelsa State athletes particularly shone in the junior girls’ events, achieving multiple podium finishes, reinforcing the state’s presence in athletics.
Bambo Akani, the founder of Making of Champions (MoC), expressed his satisfaction with the growth of the event, noting, “We started Season 1 here with around 1,000 athletes; now that number has doubled.” Akani also commented on the success of the Team MTN MoC Academy athletes, who, after nine months of training, made a strong competitive debut, securing numerous medals.
Looking towards future competitions, Akani revealed the selection of Most Valuable Performers (MVPs) for the Season 3 Grand Finale in Uyo is underway, highlighting the strong turnout of junior and youth athletes. Furthermore, the MTN CHAMPS journey will proceed with the Lagos leg, which includes the Continental Relays from April 9-12 at YabaTech and UNILAG, culminating in the grand finale set for April 30 to May 3 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Aligned with MTN’s commitment to empowering communities, this initiative provides a critical platform for aspiring young athletes in Nigeria to transition into professional athletics via competition, mentorship, and academy opportunities.
In summary, the MTN CHAMPS Season 3 Classics effectively showcased Nigeria’s emerging athletic talents while emphasizing the importance of grassroots development in sports. With notable achievements from young athletes like David Efetobore and Grace Oyibu, the event marked significant progress since its inception. The upcoming events in Lagos and Uyo further reflect MTN’s dedication to fostering the next generation of professional athletes in Nigeria.
Original Source: bhmng.com
