The Oyo State Government has reiterated its commitment to youth development and grassroots sports as Ibadan prepares to host the grand finale of MTN Champs Season 4, a major athletics competition expected to attract more than 3,200 athletes from across Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, made this known during a press briefing in Ibadan ahead of the three day championship scheduled to hold at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba.
She stated that the state government had put adequate arrangements in place to host athletes, officials and spectators, adding that the event aligns with Oyo State’s broader agenda of youth empowerment, talent discovery and sports development.
The MTN Champs competition, organised to identify and nurture young athletic talents from schools across Nigeria, has become one of the country’s key grassroots sporting platforms.
The Season 4 grand finale is scheduled to run from April 14 to April 17, 2026, bringing together athletes, coaches, sports enthusiasts and stakeholders in a competitive environment designed to promote excellence in track and field events.
Adegoke emphasised that the government views sports as a critical tool for youth engagement and socio economic growth, noting that continued investment in such programmes will help position Oyo State as a hub for sporting excellence.
She also expressed optimism that many of the participating athletes would go on to represent Nigeria at international competitions, further strengthening the country’s presence in global athletics.
The founder of Making of Champions, Bambo Akani, disclosed that 3,200 athletes, 215 schools and 325 teams had registered for the event. He highlighted that previous editions of the competition have already produced athletes who earned scholarships abroad.
According to him, some standout performers are currently studying in universities in the United States on full athletic scholarships, demonstrating the impact of the initiative.
Akani expressed confidence that the MTN Champs platform will continue to serve as a launchpad for future Nigerian champions, stressing that the ultimate goal is to develop athletes capable of excelling on the global stage.
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