Uyo Gears Up for MTN CHAMPS Grand Finale, Top 40 MVP Athletes Announced
The Grand finale of the third season of MTN CHAMPS is set to hold in Uyo, from May 6–9, 2025, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. Ahead of the much-anticipated event, a list of the Top 40 standout athletes, dubbed Team MVP, has been unveiled, spotlighting some of the brightest young talents from secondary schools across Nigeria. MTN CHAMPS, an initiative launched by MTN Nigeria in partnership with Making of Champions, provides a nationwide platform for discovering, nurturing, and celebrating the next generation of Olympic hopefuls. Through regional legs in cities like Benin and Lagos, MTN CHAMPS has attracted thousands of young athletes, unearthing future stars and giving them access to elite training, visibility, and community support. The Grand Final in Uyo will bring together 2,186 athletes from 136 secondary schools and 93 club teams to compete in more than 5,800 entries across multiple events. However, all eyes will be on the 40 elite athletes selected for Team MVP, selected based on their exceptional performances in previous MTN CHAMPS meets in Lagos and Benin. See the full list of athletes below: Cadet Girls – Team MVP (5) Cadet Boys – Team MVP (4) Youth Girls – Team MVP A (7) Youth Girls – Team MVP B (6) Youth Boys – Team MVP A (6) Youth Boys – Team MVP B (5) Junior – Team MVP (7 girls) Speaking ahead of the final, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka has emphasised the company’s commitment to youth empowerment through sports. “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. The MVPs will be unveiled in their new kits at the official press conference in Uyo on Monday, May 5. From cadets to juniors, these athletes will compete across categories, testing their talent against the nation’s best in a thrilling four-day contest that promises to celebrate speed, skill, and sportsmanship. With Uyo set to welcome some of Nigeria’s most promising young stars, MTN CHAMPS continues to redefine the landscape of school sports, changing lives, realising dreams and building Nigeria’s new generation of champions.