MTN Nigeria, a leading player in the ICT sector, has reaffirmed its dedication to the development of grassroots sports by welcoming 20 promising athletes into the Making of Champions (MoC) Athletics Academy. This event was announced during a press conference at MTN Plaza, the company's headquarters located in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The athletes were chosen from the top performers of MTN
Champs Seasons 1 and 2, marking them as the inaugural members of Team MTN to
join the Academy. Through its collaboration with MoC, these athletes will
benefit from access to state-of-the-art training facilities, professional
coaching, and a thorough development program throughout their year-long
residency at the Academy, aimed at refining their skills and preparing them for
prestigious international events, including the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.
The MTN Champs initiative is designed to identify and
support promising young athletes who exhibit exceptional talent and potential
in various athletics disciplines, including track and field, shot put, and
jumping.
Expressing his enthusiasm, the Chief Executive Officer, Karl
Toriola, stated, “We are incredibly proud to welcome these 20 remarkable
athletes into the MoC Athletics Academy. Their exceptional achievements and
unwavering commitment to their sport is truly inspiring. The Academy will
provide them with the support they need to reach full potential and make a
significant impact in their respective categories.”
“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 that they put in every day. We look forward to the
scores of medals they’re sure to win at future Olympic games,” he said
MTN's commitment to this initiative underscores the
company's overarching goal of promoting athletic excellence and revitalizing
interest in athletics throughout Nigeria. The program has had a profound
impact, with numerous athletes achieving remarkable milestones, including
participation in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Eight MTN CHAMPS
Ambassadors showcased their talents in various events, with Chukwuebuka
Enekwechi and Ruth Usoro making it to the finals in shot put and long jump,
respectively. By nurturing the next generation of Olympians, MTN is dedicated
to significantly contributing to the advancement of sports and youth
development in the nation.
Inspired by Jamaica's successful secondary championships,
MTN CHAMPS is a national track and field competition aimed at discovering and
developing Nigeria's future Olympic stars. Since its launch in 2023, MTN CHAMPS
has revealed outstanding talent across seven Nigerian cities: Benin, Uyo,
Ibadan, Abuja, Asaba, Jos, and Calabar, with over 15,000 athletes from 900
schools participating in its first two seasons.