Benin City is poised to host the MTN Champs Season 3, a premier track and field event, commencing this Thursday with an impressive 2,056 athletes vying for glory.
Bambo Akani, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Making of Champions (MOC), the MTN partner for the competition, announced the scale of the event at a press conference on Wednesday, highlighting the championship’s critical role in uncovering and developing young athletic talent.
Akani pointed to the inaugural Season 1, also held in Benin, as a testament to the program’s success, noting that it unearthed raw talent, some of whom have subsequently earned athletic scholarships in the United States. He expressed optimism that the emerging stars of Season 3 will represent Nigeria with distinction on both national and international platforms.
Osaze Ebueku, MTN’s Senior Manager of Sponsorship and Go-To-Market (GTM), echoed this sentiment, reaffirming MTN’s dedication to identifying and nurturing young athletes, characterizing them as “rough diamonds being polished into world champions.” He conveyed his enthusiasm for returning to Benin to discover further exceptional potential.
Amadin Enabulele, Chairman of the Edo Sports Commission, emphasized the state government’s unwavering commitment to grassroots sports development.
He stated that Governor Monday Okpebholo had sanctioned the use of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and provided logistical support to guarantee a successful and impactful event in Edo State. The collaborative effort between MOC, MTN, and the Edo State government underscores a shared vision for fostering the next generation of Nigerian athletic champions.
