Lagos hosts over 2,500 Athletes in MTN Champs Continental Relays
Lagos is set to host the third leg of the MTN Champs Season 3 with the highly anticipated Continental Relays, scheduled to take place from April 9 to April 12 across the Yabatech and UNILAG sports complexes.
The event follows the successful Benin Classics held in March and promises an even grander showcase of young and emerging athletic talent.
According to organisers, 2,505 athletes from 155 secondary schools have registered for the Lagos edition, with 6,298 total entries across a variety of track and field events. The roster includes 1,598 male and 907 female athletes, spanning four age categories: Cadet (U-14), Youth (U-17), Junior (U-20), and Senior.
In addition to local talent, this leg will feature a senior category with international athletes from the Benin Republic, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire, reinforcing the cross-border appeal of the MTN Champs initiative.
Athletes will compete in popular events including the 100m, 200m, 400m, high jump, long jump, and various relays.
Speaking at a press briefing on April 8, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, reiterated the company’s commitment to youth development through sports.
“MTN Champs is a platform that continues to grow, transform and inspire the future of athletes and athletics in Nigeria,” she said. “At MTN, we remain committed to supporting the dreams and aspirations of Nigeria, not only through innovative products but also through socially impactful initiatives, especially in football and athletics.”
Launched in 2023, MTN Champs has become a beacon for identifying and nurturing athletic talent at the grassroots. Twenty MVPs discovered through the program are currently receiving mentorship and training on a one-year scholarship at a Lagos-based sports academy.
Deji Ogeyinbo, Country Manager at Making of Champions (MoC) — MTN’s technical partner — emphasised the impact of the initiative.
“We’ve gone to remote villages in Nigeria and discovered exceptional athletes who otherwise wouldn’t have had this opportunity,” he said.
The Lagos Continental Relays are supported by the Lagos State Government, the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
Lekan Fatodu, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, praised the initiative, calling it “exceptional and inspirational,” while also unveiling plans to upgrade sports infrastructure, including the Teslim Balogun Stadium, to further drive grassroots development.
The grand finale of MTN Champs Season 3 will be held in Uyo from April 30 to May 3 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, where top athletes from the regional events will compete for national honours.
MTN Champs continues to solidify its role as a launchpad for Nigeria’s next generation of sports champions through mentorship, development, and scholarship opportunities.
