Nigeria’s largest telecommunications company, MTN Nigeria, has launched the fourth season of its nationwide school athletics competition, MTN CHAMPS, with millions of naira set aside to reward outstanding young athletes and strengthen grassroots sports development.
The MTN CHAMPS Season 4 Athletics Classics will take place from March 5 to March 7, 2026 at the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, drawing more than 1,000 athletes from 121 schools across the country. Organisers say the competition will feature close to 100 track and field events across several age categories, reinforcing the tournament’s reputation as Nigeria’s largest secondary school athletics platform.
The official unveiling of the championship took place at the Diamond Hall of The Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar during a press briefing attended by senior executives of MTN and officials of the sports development initiative Making of Champions.
Speaking at the event, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Oyinye Ikenna‑Emeka, explained that Calabar was chosen as the opening host city because of its long-standing reputation for hospitality and its strong culture of sports development.
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She noted that the championship is designed to strengthen school sports programmes while encouraging wider participation among Nigerian youths. According to her, more than 22,000 athletes from about 300 schools have taken part in the first three seasons of MTN CHAMPS, with 30 exceptional athletes already admitted into the MTN CHAMPS Academy for advanced training and mentorship.
To further motivate competitors, the organisers unveiled a prize structure running into millions of naira. The overall winners will receive ₦2 million, while the second-placed team will earn ₦1.5 million. Third place carries a reward of ₦1 million, while the fourth-placed school will receive ₦500,000. Additional financial incentives will be given to schools with the highest participation during the tournament.
Managing Director of Making of Champions, Yemi Galadima, described the athletics competition as more than a sporting event, noting that it provides an avenue for youth empowerment, national development and talent discovery.
She disclosed that athletes competing in the Calabar leg will participate in four categories which include Cadet for athletes under 14 years, Youth for competitors under 17 years, Junior for athletes under 20 years, and a Senior category.
Galadima expressed optimism that the championship would uncover new stars capable of representing Nigeria on the global stage.
Representing the National School Sports Festival, Emmanuel Obong commended the achievements recorded by the Making of Champions initiative and expressed confidence that the Calabar event would build on the successes of previous seasons.
Organisers have urged school administrators, principals and teachers to encourage their students to participate actively, noting that schools with strong representation will also receive special recognition and incentives.
With the championship already underway at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, the city of Calabar is expected to witness three days of intense competition as young athletes compete for medals, scholarships and opportunities that could launch future professional careers in athletics.
Sports development advocates say the MTN CHAMPS programme has become a key pathway for discovering emerging talents and strengthening Nigeria’s athletics pipeline as the country seeks greater success in international competitions.
