By Kelvin Ololo
MTN Nigeria is set to commence Season 4 of its youth athletics championship under the Making of Champions (MOC) program in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The three-day competition will run from March 5 to March 7, 2026, at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar. The event was formally unveiled during a press conference attended by top officials of the telecommunications company at the Diamond Hall of the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar.
Speaking at the conference, the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Oyinye Ikenna-Emeka, said the decision to host the championship in Calabar was influenced by the state’s hospitality and rich sporting tradition.
“This is why MTN is delighted to bring Champs back to Calabar, because it is a place where talents truly grow,” she said.
Reflecting on the impact of the Making of Champions initiative over the years, Ikenna-Emeka noted that more than 22,000 young athletes from about 300 schools across Nigeria have participated in the last three seasons. She added that 30 outstanding athletes have been enrolled in the MTN Champs Academy, where they receive world-class training and mentorship.
She outlined the prize structure for the competition. The overall winners will receive ₦2 million, while second place will earn ₦1.5 million. Third-place finishers will receive ₦1 million, and fourth place will go home with ₦500,000. In addition, schools that turn out in large numbers will receive special financial rewards.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Making of Champions, Yemi Galadima, described the championship as a platform for national development, capacity building, and youth empowerment through sports.
She disclosed that about 1,000 athletes from 121 schools are expected to compete in Calabar across four categories: Cadet (Under-14), Youth (Under-17), Junior (Under-20), and Senior. “Here in Calabar, over the next few days, we are hoping to see new talents emerge and new possibilities come to the limelight,” she said.
Responding on behalf of the National School Sports Festival, Pastor Emmanuel Obong expressed satisfaction with the achievements recorded by the Making of Champions initiative in previous seasons and expressed optimism that the same success would be replicated in Calabar.
The organizers called on school administrators, principals, and teachers to encourage students to participate actively, noting that schools with strong attendance will be rewarded.
With the championship set to begin, Calabar is expected to witness vibrant sporting activities as young athletes compete for honors and opportunities on a national stage.
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