Over 3,200 Athletes For MTN Champs Season 4 Grand Finale In Ibadan
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN — THE Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development and grassroots sports as Ibadan gears up to host the grand finale of the MTN Champs Season 4, with over 3,200 athletes expected to participate.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, made this known on Monday during a media briefing ahead of the three-day championship scheduled to hold at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
Adegoke stated that the state government had put in place adequate arrangements to accommodate athletes, officials, and spectators, stressing that the event aligns with its broader agenda of youth empowerment and sports development.
“The Oyo State Government is fully committed to providing an enabling environment for programmes like this to thrive. We see sports as a critical tool for youth engagement, talent discovery, and socio-economic development,” she said.
She added that the government would continue to support initiatives aimed at identifying and nurturing young talents, expressing confidence that the championship would further position the state as a hub for sporting excellence.
“We are proud to partner with stakeholders to host this grand finale. We believe many of these young athletes will go on to represent Nigeria on the global stage,” Adegoke added.
Earlier, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Making of Champions, Bambo Akani, disclosed that 3,200 athletes, 215 schools, and 325 teams had registered for the competition.
Akani described the event as a vital platform for discovering and nurturing young athletic talents, noting that several standout performers from previous editions are already benefiting from international opportunities.
“Some of the talented athletes discovered from earlier editions are currently on full scholarships in schools across the United States. This reflects the impact of what we are building,” he said.
He expressed optimism that participants from the MTN Champs initiative would continue to make Nigeria proud on the international stage.
“We are not just organising competitions; we are building future champions. Many of these young athletes will go on to represent Nigeria with distinction at global events,” Akani added.
The MTN Champs Season 4 Grand Finale, scheduled to run from April 14 to April 17, 2026, is expected to bring together athletes, coaches, sports enthusiasts, and key stakeholders in a competitive atmosphere designed to promote excellence and opportunity in athletics.