MTN: ‘We are helping to shape the future of athletics in Nigeria’

MTN CEO Karl Toriola says his organization is helping to shape the future of Nigerian youths, the future of track and field in Nigeria and expressed his excitement at the unveiling of 20 athletes from the MTN CHAMPS into the MoC Academy.

The unveiling was done at MTN’s corporate headquarters in Lagos on Wednesday and Toriola says it’s a celebration of their investment in the future of Nigeria.

‘It’s a tremendous honour to welcome all of you here today to celebrate the excellence and our investment in the future of Nigeria. It gives us a great sense of pride because it marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of MTN CHAMPS, a chapter that promises to be thrilling and inspiring and hopefully we will end up with some GOLD medals by the next Olympics.

‘When we launched MTN CHAMPS, we did so with a vision to discover and develop raw talents to give young athletes across Nigeria a platform to showcase their abilities to inspire a generation of athletes. More importantly, we wanted to contribute towards the development of future Olympians.

‘Today, as we induct the MVPs into the MoC Athletics Academy powered by MTN, we are filled with a sense of pride.

‘The Academy is more than a training ground; it’s a platform where talent is recognized and honed, where dreams are nurtured and passion translates into performance and shaping the future of Nigeria’s Athletics. We are here to honour 20 MVPs, athletes who have embodied the spirit of determination, sportsmanship and excellence that MTN CHAMPS stands for,’said Toriola.

MTN General Manager, Brand and Communication, Emamoke Ogoro, shared in Toriola’s sentiments and disclosed the reasons behind creating the MTN CHAMPS platform.

‘The reason we started MTN CHAMPS was for the Nigerian and African pride. At the last Olympics, the buzz was around the American and Jamaican athletes; we want that to change. We want Nigeria to dominate the world as well.

‘When Bambo came last year with the plan, I was excited because I remember when I used to follow the Mobil Athletics National Trials in the ’90s. We want to be a part of these athletes’ stories so that when they make it to the Olympics, we can say they were products of MTN CHAMPS. To the athletes, don’t relent on your training and you will be future Nigerian Olympic Champions.’

The 20 athletes are drawn from Seasons 1 and 2 of MTN CHAMPS and will join the MoC Athletics Academy in Lagos, sponsored by MTN.

The athletes comprising of 5 female sprinters, 3 female quartermilers, 7 male sprinters and 5 male quartermilers were announced at a special unveiling ceremony and Press Conference held at the MTN Headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos, on August 21st, 2024.

They are expected to be in the Academy for an initial period of one year, after which their stay in the Academy will be reviewed based on their performance during the initial one year.

The 20 athletes whom have already resumed at the Academy are: Female Sprinters: Azeezat Muhammed-Raji, Lucy Nwankwo, Mercy Ogbonna, Toheebat Jimoh and Jane Onyeneho
Female Quartermilers: Chizoba Onyemauwa, Miracle Uwem and Patience Joseph
Male Sprinters: Fervent Edet, Alvin Onyeama, David Nda-Isaiah, Kehinde Ojo, Khalil Saleh, Emmanuel Oyewale and Showers Ushie
Male Quartermilers: Benjamin Magaji, Ezekiel Eno, Emmanuel Obi, Prosper Ushie and Stephen Adejumo.