Continental Relays Archives

2,505 Athletes Set For MTN Champs Lagos Continental Relays

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago08 mins

The third season of MTN Champs continues with the Continental Relays scheduled to take place in Lagos from April 9 to April 12. Events will be held at the Yabatech and UNILAG sports complexes. This follows the successful Benin Classics held from March 13 to 15. A total of 2,505 athletes have registered for the Lagos Continental Relays, with 6,298 event entries from 155 secondary schools, with 1,598 male athletes and 907 female athletes. The senior category will also include international athletes from the Republic of Benin, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire. Athletes will compete in a range of track and field events, including the 100m, 200m, 400m, relays, high jump, and long jump, in four age categories: Cadet (U-14), Youth (U-17), Junior (U-20), and Senior. Speaking at a press briefing on April 8, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, said. “MTN Champs is a platform that continues to grow, transform and inspire the future of athletes and athletics in Nigeria. At MTN, we remain committed to supporting the dreams and aspirations of Nigeria, not only through innovative products, but involvement in socially impactful initiatives especially in football and athletics,” she said. MTN Champs was launched in 2023 to discover and develop young athletic talent across Nigeria. Twenty athletes identified as Most Valuable Players (MVPs) through the program are currently enrolled in a Lagos-based academy on a one-year scholarship. Deji Ogeyinbo, Country Manager at Making of Champions (MoC), MTN’s technical partner, highlighted the initiative’s impact. “MTN Champs was born out of a need to create structured training camps for athletes. We have been able to go to the remote villages in Nigeria, to discover exceptional athletes that otherwise would not have had the opportunity to showcase their talents,” he said. The Lagos Continental Relays are supported by the Lagos State Government, the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). Lekan Fatodu, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, reiterated the state government’s support for the MTN Champs initiative. “There is no better way to describe this event than saying that it is exceptional and inspirational. This is a motivation for us as the government,” he said. Fatodu also outlined plans to reform sports infrastructure in the state, including upgrades to the Teslim Balogun Stadium, to support broader sports development in Nigeria. The grand finale of MTN Champs Season 3 will be held in Uyo from April 30 to May 3 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. MTN Champs aims to invest in the future of Nigerian youth through mentorship, development programs, and scholarships, identifying talent at the grassroots and supporting the emergence of Nigeria’s next generation of sporting champions. XXXXXXXXX Gov. Seyi Makinde Hits 335Km Roads In Six Years The Oyo State Government, under the able leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, proudly announces the completion of 335 kilometers of roads across the state within six years of his administration, with more projects still in progress. This milestone was highlighted by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, as a testament to Governor Makinde’s unwavering commitment to transforming Oyo State’s infrastructure and driving economic growth. Since assuming office in May 2019, Governor Makinde has prioritized road infrastructure as a cornerstone of his administration’s agenda to connect all zones of Oyo State, enhance urban mobility, and boost economic activities. Prince Oyelade emphasized that this achievement surpasses the combined efforts of all administrations between 1999 and 2019, underscoring the governor’s strategic vision to address the state’s infrastructure deficit. Among the notable projects completed are the 65km Moniya-Iseyin Road, the 34.85km Oyo-Iseyin Road, the Adebayo Alao Akala road, and the recently commissioned 38.48km of feeder roads in Ibadan, alongside numerous other inter-zone and township roads totaling 335.77km as of mid-2024, with figures now updated to reflect ongoing progress. Additionally, 273.31km of roads remain under construction, signaling that the administration’s work is far from over. Prince Oyelade noted, “Governor Makinde’s approach has been deliberate and data-driven, focusing on roads that link production zones to consumption centers, thereby opening up opportunities for agribusiness and reducing rural-urban migration. “This is not just about building roads; it’s about building a modern Oyo State where every citizen benefits.” These accomplishments align with Governor Makinde’s promise to engineer a state where infrastructure serves as a catalyst for prosperity. As Oyo State continues to witness unprecedented development, the government reaffirms its dedication to sustaining this momentum, with plans for further road rehabilitations and expansions in the coming years. Governor Makinde remains committed to leaving a legacy of progress and institutional strength by May 2027, when his tenure concludes.

MTN Champs Continental Relays to Kick Off with Flag Run Event in Lagos

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

MTN Champs Season 3 continues with Continental Relays in Lagos. These events will kick off with a Flag Run on April 8, ahead of the main competition scheduled for April 9 to 12 at the Yabatech and UNILAG sports complexes. The Flag Run will see young athletes participate in an experiential relay across Lagos, showcasing both their skills and the vibrancy of the city. The race will begin in Alausa and end at the MTN Plaza in Ikoyi, with athletes covering 5KM to 10KM distances in relay teams. The event is designed to highlight the fusion of sports, culture, and tourism, allowing athletes to engage with the city and its people while putting their talents on display. The runners will pass through key locations that reflect Lagos’ rich heritage and urban energy, reinforcing MTN’s sub-campaign, ‘See Naija’. A security team, traffic management officers, medics, and a team bus will accompany the athletes to ensure a smooth and safe race. Organised in partnership with Making of Champions, the MTN Champs Continental Relays will bring together top young athletes from across Africa to compete in various track and field events. The competition is aimed at developing emerging talent and positioning Nigeria as a hub for athletics on the continent. Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria emphasised the importance of the Flag Run. “This is more than just a relay. It’s an opportunity to celebrate Lagos, its people, and its culture while showcasing the next generation of champions. The athletes won’t just be running; they’ll be bringing the city to life through sports.” The MTN Champs Continental Relays, taking place from April 9 to 12, will be open to the public and will feature track and field events, special guest appearances, music, and prizes for early attendees. Lagos residents are encouraged to attend and cheer on the athletes as they compete for top honours. The flag run will provide a unique opportunity for athletes to immerse themselves in the city’s culture while demonstrating their abilities on the road. This symbolic start to the MTN Champs Continental Relays will set the tone for a competitive athletics showcase.

Over 1000 Students Set to Participate in MTN Champs Continental Relays

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Over 1000 athletes are already set to participate in the upcoming MTN Champs Continental Relays, taking place between April 9 and April 12 at the UNILAG and Yabatech Sports complexes. Organisers anticipate even more registrations before the April 2 deadline. MTN Champs is Nigeria’s largest grassroots sports competition, a collaboration between MTN Nigeria and Making of Champs (MoC), providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and potentially represent Nigeria on the global stage. Osaze Ebueku, Senior Manager, Go-to-Market at MTN Nigeria at the opening ceremony of the MTN Champs Classics events in Benin had emphasised the long-term vision behind MTN Champs: “We’re building future Olympians for Nigeria. MTN Champs is about more than competition. It’s about changing lives.” The continental relays mark the second leg of the MTN Champs Season 3, following the Classics competition in Benin, which saw 4,371 event entries from 2,056 athletes. As of March 24, the Lagos leg had already recorded 2,821 event entries across different age categories, highlighting the growing enthusiasm around the competition. The registered athletes are spread across four categories, with 174 in the Cadet (U-14) category, 388 in Youth (U-17), 270 in Junior (U-20), and 279 in the Senior category.To ensure smooth participation, organisers have outlined important guidelines. Athletes in the Cadet, Youth, and Junior categories must submit a signed Parental Consent Form, while all registered schools and athletes must collect their competition bibs by April 8 at the competition venue to confirm their participation and secure their place on the start list. Sports enthusiasts can look forward to an electrifying showcase of emerging talent, as young athletes seize the opportunity to prove their skills on a professional stage.