MTN Nigeria has taken another step in supporting grassroots sports by inducting 20 promising athletes into the Making of Champions (MoC) Athletics Academy. The induction ceremony took place at MTN’s headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos, during a press conference.
The selected athletes were chosen based on their exceptional performances in the first two seasons of the MTN Champs initiative. As the first members of Team MTN to join the Academy, they will benefit from world-class training facilities, expert coaching, and a comprehensive development program during their year-long residency. The goal is to prepare them for major international competitions such as the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.
The MTN Champs program is designed to identify and nurture young athletes who excel across various athletic categories, from track and field to shot put and jumping events.
MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, expressed excitement about the initiative: “We are incredibly proud to welcome these 20 remarkable athletes into the MoC Athletics Academy. Their outstanding achievements and dedication to their sport are truly inspiring. The Academy will provide them with the support they need to reach their full potential and make a significant impact in their respective categories.”
Toriola emphasized MTN’s commitment to empowering the athletes, stating, “Our goal is to equip them with the resources they need to achieve greatness and inspire the next generation of athletes. Their induction into the Academy represents our collective journey and reinforces our commitment to supporting our athletes. We look forward to the medals they’re sure to win at future Olympic games.”
MTN’s investment in this initiative is part of the company’s broader mission to reignite interest in athletics and promote youth development in Nigeria. The program has already yielded significant success, with some athletes representing Nigeria at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Among them were Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and Ruth Usoro, who reached the finals in shot put and long jump, respectively.
Modelled after Jamaica’s successful secondary championships, the MTN Champs competition is a nationwide track and field event aimed at discovering and nurturing Nigeria’s future Olympic stars. Since its inception in 2023, the program has uncovered exceptional talent in seven cities across Nigeria: Benin, Uyo, Ibadan, Abuja, Asaba, Jos, and Calabar, with over 15,000 athletes from 900 schools participating in the first two seasons.
MTN’s ongoing commitment to developing young talent in athletics is expected to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s sports and youth development in the coming years.
