Nigeria’s brightest young athletic talents thrilled fans with electrifying performances and dramatic sprint finishes on the final day of the Lagos MTN CHAMPS Season 3, culminating in standout victories in the 100m Youth Boys and Girls categories.
For Enyi Chimamanda Emmanuella of Abeokuta Girls Grammar School, it was a golden breakthrough.
“I feel happy. I didn’t know that I could even make it,” she said joyfully after her win. “All my hope is just in God. MTN is the best, and thank you for the opportunity; this is my first time winning a medal.”
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Raimi Suliat and Ikudeginbu Happiness rounded out the girls’ podium, finishing second and third, respectively.
Boluwatife shines in boys’ final
In the boys’ final, Adegboyega Boluwatife of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary stunned both himself and the competition.
“I honestly thought I came second, but when they checked the time, I had come first. I’m very thankful to MTN. This is my first time competing,” he said with a grin.
Over 2,500 athletes highlight unprecedented participation
The sprint finals brought a thrilling end to a four-day athletics showcase that featured over 2,500 entries from 155 schools across Nigeria and West Africa.
Held at the UNILAG Sports Complex and Yaba College of Technology, MTN CHAMPS Lagos celebrated speed, resilience, and raw talent on a grand scale.
“This competition enables us to detect raw talent from these students,” said the Director of Sports for Education District IV, who was present to support her athletes. “We are very grateful to MTN, and we don’t want it to end like this.”
The Lagos edition stood out not just for its exciting finishes but for its inclusiveness and continental flair.
Athletes competed across four age categories—Cadet, Youth, Junior, and Senior—in sprints, relays, jumps, and distance events.
International participation from Benin Republic, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire added prestige and vibrancy to the competition.
MTN’s role in powering the event drew wide acclaim during the closing ceremony at Yabatech Sports Complex.
“MTN is not just a telecom giant; they are a transformational partner in nation building,” said Lekan Fatodu, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Spotlight shifts to Uyo for grand finale
The spotlight now shifts to Uyo for the MTN CHAMPS Season 3 Grand Finale, scheduled for April 30 to May 3 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
