The MTN CHAMPS Uyo Grand Final concluded on May 9 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, marking the end of a four-day competition which brought together some of Nigeria’s most promising young athletes. The event, which attracted 2,187 athletes, culminated in the announcement of the Top 10 Most Valuable Performers (MVPs) from Uyo, a list that now completes the selection of 30 MVPs across this season.
Uyo – Top 10 MVPs:
1.Abdulaleem Abdulsalam (Cadet): 100m GOLD, 200m GOLD, 4x100m GOLD
2.Ebimoboere Christopher (Cadet): 100m GOLD, 200m GOLD, 4x100m GOLD
3. Saviour Nnokama (Cadet): 100m Silver
4. Bernice Onoriode (Youth): 100m GOLD, 200m GOLD, 4x100m GOLD
5.Victory Aganya (Youth): 400m GOLD, mixed 4x400m Bronze
6.Muhammed Jimoh (Youth): 100m GOLD, High Jump GOLD, Long Jump GOLD, 4x100m Silver
7.Jesulayomi Ogundijo (Youth): 400m GOLD, mixed 4x400m Silver
8.Ejiro Peter (Junior): 100m GOLD, 4x100m Silver
9.Miracle Sonny (Junior): 400m GOLD, 200m Bronze
10. William Stanley (Junior): 100m GOLD
The unveiling of this MVP list followed a colourful closing ceremony attended by dignitaries, including the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Commissioner of Education in Akwa Ibom state, Prof. Ubong Essien Umoh, alongside MTN executives.
Delivering the keynote, Modupe Kadiri, Chief Financial Officer at MTN Nigeria, highlighted the significance of the competition’s conclusion: “Today, we stand at the culmination of an incredible journey. From Benin, Lagos, and right here. We have seen personal bests shattered, new rivalries forged, and the emergence of champions who will undoubtedly leave their mark on the national and international stage.
“We anticipate that the 10 exceptional MVPs emerging from this season will join the current roster of 20 MVPs in their continued pursuit of excellence. We are particularly proud that 3 of our current MVPs in the academy hail from this very state. We eagerly look forward to them making the state proud by representing on a global stage in the near future.”
Representing the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, echoed support for MTN’s grassroots approach. “I must commend MTN specially for what they’re doing with this. This is very in alignment with the vision of the president, to give the youth the opportunity for a better future tomorrow. The focus of sports in Nigeria at the moment is youth development and grassroots sports, and that is why we are here.”
The season’s final medals were presented, across the sprint, middle-distance, and jump events, where new personal bests were recorded as competition intensified. Faith Odumoso secured the sprint double in the Senior Women’s category, winning the 200m in 24.17s, ahead of Team MTN’s Miracle Donald (24.45s PB) and Jane Onyeneho (24.48s). In the men’s 200m final, Bayelsa’s Akumodogiyo Shalom George finished first, with Victor Marcus Williams and Pelumi Emmanuel Adesunloro earning Silver and Bronze, respectively.
In the Junior Women’s 200m, Faith Chukwuma added to her medal tally with a commanding win. Team MTN’s Lucy Nwankwo and Team MVP’s Tejiri Ugoh followed. Ezekiel Asuquo, running for Team MTN, also took his second GOLD of the event in the 200m (21.39s), having earlier won the 400m.
The Youth Girls’ 200m was a clean sweep for Team MVP, with Bernice Onoriode finishing first in a lifetime best of 25.52s. Goodnews Saturday (25.56s PB) and Rebecca Enilolobo (25.87s) completed the podium. Onyemech Peter Onoriode topped the Youth Boys’ 200m in 22.74s (PB), followed by Team MVP’s Destiny Reuben and Seriki Kehinde Opemipo.
In the Cadet Girls’ 200m, Ebimoboere Christopher led another Team MVP sweep with a PB of 26.52s, while Abdulaleem Abdulsalam won the Cadet Boys’ race in 24.96s.
The men’s 800m final saw Akwa Ibom’s Inimfon Akaso and Edidiong Udotong place first and third, Real Overcomers’ Solomon Josiah finishing second. Saviour Alexander (Junior Men), Elizabeth Olumide (Junior Women), and Karo Onisuru (Youth Girls’ High Jump) were among the standout performers. Clergy Edet and Chukwuemeka Alozie won the Senior women’s and men’s High Jump titles, respectively.
Team MVP swept the Cadet and Youth 4x100m categories, while Team MTN prevailed in the Junior and Senior 4x100m relays.
While the Grand Final closed the competition phase, the development journey for these athletes continues, a pipeline being built to elevate Nigerian talent from the grassroots to the global stage