Day 1 of the MTN Champs continental relay competitions kicked off on Wednesday, April 9 with a flag-off ceremony at the Yabatech Sports Complex. In attendance were executives from MTN Nigeria, alongside key figures in the sports community, including Lekan Fatodu, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission; Yusuf Ali, CEO, Elite Athlete Development & Podium Board, National Sports Commission; Pastor Emmanuel Ebong, NSSF Vice President; Dr. Solomon Alao, Board Member, South West Rep, Athletics Federation of Nigeria and Bambo Akani, CEO of Making of Champions (MoC).
Also present was five-time Olympic athlete and event Flag Bearer, Mary Onyali, who led dignitaries on a ceremonial walk around the stadium, culminating at the archway for the official ribbon-cutting. Representing the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Fatodu declared the event officially open.
Lekan Fatodu emphasized the significance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in driving development, saying: “There is a refrain that the government has no business in business, but the business the government has in business is to continue to build partnerships with people like MTN who truly know how to run business, who not only run their business, but are constantly looking at their operational environment where human capacity can be acknowledged, developed and opportunities can be given to all citizens to have multiple options.” He concluded by charging the athletes to give their best during their competitions this week.
The ceremony also featured a vibrant march-past led by influencer and social advocate Flag Boy. Students from competing schools including Corona, Igbobi College, Federal Government College Ijanikin, Basil International College, and Team MTN, comprising standout athletes from Seasons 1 and 2 now in the MoC Academy, joined the procession.
Reiterating MTN’s commitment to grassroots sports development, Ayham Moussa, Chief Operating Officer of MTN Nigeria, stated: “At MTN, we are heavily invested in football and athletics because we believe in the power of sports as a catalyst for development. Season 3 of MTN Champs began in Benin where over 2000 young athletes stepped onto the track to showcase their talents, passion and determination to be the best.
Today, we are set for a historic milestone as we begin the second leg of the MTN Champs Season 3. Lagos is the centre of excellence, home to both established and budding athletes. Let’s get ready for a most exciting display of talents and passion from these young athletes. Let’s get ready to see records broken and new ones set. Let’s get ready to see the birth of future Olympians.”
The Lagos continental relays continue this week across the Yabatech and the UNILAG sports complexes from April 9 to April 12.