On Monday, April 13, we attended the unveiling of the MTN CHAMPS Season 4 Grand Final in Ibadan, marking the final stop of a season that began in Calabar and continued through Jos. Our Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications, Oluchi Ubazue, represented us at the press conference with government officials, sports administrators, MTN executives, and the Making of Champions team.
Our sponsorship goes beyond brand visibility. It is about creating opportunities and supporting the future of Nigerian sports. MTN CHAMPS has revealed the depth of talent across Calabar, Jos, and now Ibadan. By participating, we help build a system that enables this talent to grow and succeed.
We use the word ‘system’ intentionally. We aim to support structures that help young athletes persevere. This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to building effective solutions.
Our support is tangible. We have sponsored two athletes, Destiny and Rebecca, who delivered strong, consistent performances throughout the season. Their dedication shows the importance of platforms like this and the need for organizations to support emerging talent.
We appreciate Making of Champions, MTN, and the other sponsors for their ongoing commitment to youth development. We are genuinely excited about the future for these athletes.
The Grand Final will be the largest in the competition’s history, with over 3,200 athletes from 375 schools and teams competing in Ibadan at the Lekan Salami Stadium and the University of Ibadan Sports Complex. This is Ibadan’s third time hosting MTN CHAMPS and its first time hosting the Grand Final. MoC Founder and CEO Bambo Akani noted that this milestone places the city among the top three for registration numbers across all four seasons.
Akani thanked us for our role in providing athlete scholarships and acknowledged MTN’s efforts in expanding the event nationally. MTN’s Idowu Adesokan highlighted the identification of 30 athletes as early evidence that this platform could produce future Olympic champions.
Enoch Adegoke, MTN CHAMPS Ibadan Ambassador and Olympic finalist, stated that Ibadan would exceed the achievements seen in Calabar and Jos. Five-time Olympian Mary Onyali emphasized that talent alone is not sufficient; athletes also require funding, media exposure, and robust support systems to succeed.
Our journey from Calabar to Jos to Ibadan represents more than sponsorship. It shows the impact of committed partnerships in building infrastructure, whether for power or supporting young athletes as they pursue their futures.
The 20 Most Valuable Performers from the Calabar and Jos stages will now compete against the best in Ibadan. The Grand Final offers the highest stakes in the competition’s four-year history, and we will continue to support every step of the way.
