MTN Nigeria, a leading ICT company, has reaffirmed its commitment to grassroots sports development by inducting 20 promising athletes into the Making of Champions (MoC) Athletics Academy.
The induction ceremony took place during a press conference held at MTN Plaza, the company’s headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos.
These athletes, selected as top performers from the inaugural and second seasons of the MTN Champs initiative, constitute the first cohort of “Team MTN” to be inducted into the prestigious Academy.
As part of MTN’s strategic partnership with MoC, these athletes will benefit from world-class training facilities, expert coaching, and a comprehensive development program during their one-year residency.
The program is specifically designed to hone their skills and prepare them for international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.
The MTN Champs initiative is focused on identifying and nurturing young athletes who exhibit exceptional talent and potential across various athletic disciplines, from track and field events to shot put and long jump.
Expressing his enthusiasm, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, said, “We are incredibly proud to welcome these 20 remarkable athletes into the MoC Athletics Academy. Their exceptional achievements and unwavering commitment 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 further emphasized MTN’s dedication to empowering these athletes: “At MTN, our goal is to empower them with the resources they need to achieve greatness and inspire the next generation of athletes. Their induction into the Academy is a symbol of our collective journey. It’s a reflection of our commitment to supporting our athletes and a recognition of the hard work and dedication they put in every day. We look forward to the scores of medals they’re sure to win at future Olympic games.”
MTN’s investment in this initiative underscores the company’s broader mission to foster athletic excellence and reignite interest in athletics across Nigeria.
The MTN Champs program has already made a significant impact, with several athletes achieving notable successes, including representation at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Among them, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and Ruth Usoro reached the finals in shot put and long jump, respectively.
Modeled after Jamaica’s successful secondary championships, MTN Champs is a national track and field competition aimed at identifying and nurturing Nigeria’s future Olympic champions.
Since its inception in 2023, MTN Champs has unearthed exceptional talent across seven Nigerian cities: Benin, Uyo, Ibadan, Abuja, Asaba, Jos, and Calabar, with over 15,000 athletes from 900 schools participating in the first two seasons.
