MTN CHAMPS Season 3 Classics Benin Finale Showcases Nigeria’s Rising Athletic Stars

Day 3 of the MTN CHAMPS Season 3 Classics concluded on Saturday, March 15, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, with standout performances from young athletes across Nigeria.

This three-day event, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s grassroots athletics development program, saw over 2,000 athletes competing across cadet, youth, and junior categories.

Delta State’s David Efetobore emerged as a standout performer, clinching gold in both the senior boys’ 100m and 200m events, with an impressive time of 21.53 seconds in the latter. In the junior girls’ category, 15-year-old Grace Oyibu from Onicha-Ugbo Mixed Secondary School showcased her potential, securing victory in the 200m with a time of 24.57 seconds.

The competition also highlighted promising talents like 12-year-old Joel Oghele, who competed in the youth boys’ 200m, demonstrating remarkable composure against older rivals. Bayelsa State made its presence felt, particularly in the junior girls’ events, with multiple podium finishes.

Bambo Akani, founder of Making of Champions (MoC), expressed satisfaction with the event’s growth, noting, “We started Season 1 here with around 1,000 athletes; now that number has doubled”. He also revealed that athletes from the Team MTN MoC Academy, after nine months of intensive training in Lagos, made their competitive debut, securing several medals.

Looking ahead, Akani mentioned that performances are under review to select Most Valuable Performers (MVPs) for the Season 3 Grand Finale in Uyo. “The juniors and youths especially came out in strong numbers. About 1,000 youth athletes competed,” he added.

The MTN CHAMPS Season 3 journey continues with the Lagos leg, featuring the Continental Relays from April 9-12 at YabaTech and UNILAG. The grand finale is set for April 30 to May 3 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

This initiative, aligning with MTN’s mission to empower communities, provides a crucial platform for young Nigerian athletes to transition into professional athletics through competition, mentorship, and academy opportunities.