The fourth edition of the MTN Championship has commenced in Plateau State, with 148 schools and teams competing for medals in various athletics events at the New Jos Township Stadium.

Organised by MTN as part of its youth development initiative, the competition features about 1,300 athletes across 94 events and four age categories. The event is part of a nationwide series that has already been held in Lagos and Calabar, with a grand finale scheduled for Ibadan.

Speaking at a press conference in Jos, MTN’s Chief Internal Audit and Forensic Services Officer, Ibe Etea, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to grassroots sports development, noting that the initiative continues to grow in scale and impact.

He announced prize rewards for participating schools, with ₦2 million for first place, ₦1.5 million for second, ₦1 million for third, and ₦500,000 for fourth place, aimed at encouraging excellence among young athletes.

Since its inception in 2022, the MTN Champs programme has engaged about 20,000 athletes and over 1,500 schools nationwide, with several participants advancing to the MTN Champs Athletics Academy and representing Nigeria in national and international competitions.

The Managing Editor of Making of Champions, Yemi Galadima, highlighted the competition’s importance, noting that it has become a key fixture for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, providing opportunities for athletes to compete across multiple age categories.

Plateau State officials, including the Commissioner for Sports, Musa Ashoms, and the Commissioner for Education, Kachollom Gang, praised the initiative and pledged support to ensure its success.

The championship will run until March 28, after which activities will move to Ibadan for the grand finale.