Day 4 of MTN CHAMPS Season 3 in Lagos delivered a memorable conclusion to four days of athletic competition, with field events and 400m cadet races closing out the week in style at the UNILAG Sports Complex.
In the Youth Girls Long Jump, Igboa Osato of Corona Day Secondary School jumped her way to gold after an uncertain start. “At first, my run-through wasn’t great, so I wasn’t confident, but seeing others do well made me feel like I could do better. I’m really happy I won”, she said.
Osato’s victory came ahead of Fayiga Omolabake and Ogunde Ruth, who took silver and bronze. On the boys’ side, Kester Ike claimed the top spot in the Youth Boys Long Jump, followed by Abdul Hammid and Temilade Ogunleye.
The 400m Cadet Girls final was won by Youssef Moridiyat of Aguda Junior Grammar School, whose elation was evident. “I’m so happy. I can’t believe I made it,” she said. “Thank you, MTN.”
Amusu Timilehin led the Cadet Boys 400m, with Opeyemi Afolabi and Adebayo Olaleye close behind in what was one of the most competitive races of the day.
Meanwhile, Ibi Stanley of Lagos State Model Senior College, Kankon, took gold in the Long Jump (U17 Boys), calling the win “something that feels like a part of me. Thank you, MTN, for letting me participate in this competition,” he said.
The final day drew a large crowd to the stands, including teachers, family members, and athletics officials, who were all eager to witness the future of Nigerian sport unfold in real time. It was a fitting end to a four-day event that brought together more than 2,500 young athletes from 155 schools, competing across four age categories.
During the official closing ceremony, hosted at the Yabatech Sports Complex, Ugonwa Nwoye, Chief Customer Relations Officer at MTN Nigeria, said the company’s vision was not just about producing champions, but about giving young Nigerians visibility and support. “We set out to change the trajectory of lives, and I believe we’ve done that,” she said.
Also in attendance was Mary Onyali, five-time Olympian and MTN CHAMPS ambassador, who joined MTN executives and dignitaries in the ceremonial closing walk, underscoring the platform’s growing credibility.
Looking ahead, all eyes are on Uyo, where the MTN CHAMPS Season 3 Grand Finale will be held from April 30 to May 3 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. For the athletes who stood out in Lagos, the journey is far from over, and the next stop could be a defining one.