Africa’s largest mobile network operator, MTN Nigeria, has announced a major return to grassroots athletics as MTN CHAMPS Season 4 gets underway with millions of naira committed to supporting school sports development and unearthing future athletic stars across the nation.
The fourth edition of the MTN-sponsored schools athletics competition is set to begin in Calabar, Cross River State, from March 5 to 7, 2026, where the MTN CHAMPS Athletics Classics will kick off the Season 4 calendar.
Also Read: Winners of the MTN CHAMPS Season 2 in Calabar.
MTN CHAMPS Season 2 held her press conference at the Metropolitan Hotel Calabar.
The championship, a partnership between MTN and Making of Champions (MoC) will be staged across three host cities this year.
Addressing journalists at a press conference held in Calabar on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, said bringing the event back to the city feels like a return home. She noted that the state continues to shine as a city rich in culture, hospitality, and most importantly, a strong tradition of sporting excellence.
A major attraction of Season 4 is the unveiling of significant cash rewards for schools that stand out not only in athletic performance but also in overall participation and support. The Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, announced that for the first time in the competition’s history, the four highest-ranking schools will receive financial prizes as follows: ₦2 million for first place, ₦1.5 million for second place, ₦1 million for third place, and ₦500,000 for fourth place.
“Beyond athletic performance, MTN has introduced a “Special Attendance Reward” to celebrate school spirit and mobilization. This category, according to her, offers even larger sums, with the winning school set to receive 5 Million Naira. The rewards continue with 3 million for second place, 2 million for third, 1.5 million for fourth, and 1 million for fifth. Consolation prizes of 500,000 naira each will also be awarded to schools finishing in 6th to 10th place.”
“These funds will help to strengthen school sports programmes and support the next generation of athletes,” Ikenna noted.
Yemi Galadima, the Managing Editor of Making of Champions, described the fourth season of the championship as a defining moment in Nigeria’s long-term global athletics vision. She explained that with the collaboration between MTN Nigeria and Making of Champions now secured through 2028, the pathway to the Olympic stage has become clearer and more structured.
According to her, the competition continues to serve as a breeding ground for elite talent, stressing that a significant majority of athletes who flew Nigeria’s flag at the African Under-20 Championships emerged from the MTN Champs platform. She added that this year’s Calabar leg carries added weight because of the upcoming World Relays in Botswana, noting that the event is increasingly attracting continental attention. In fact, she revealed that a team from Ethiopia will be in Calabar to chase qualification times, a sign of the meet’s rising profile across Africa.
Also lending his voice, Pastor Emmanuel Ebong, Second Vice President of the Nigeria School Sport Federation, commended the initiative for creating meaningful engagement for young people. He said the competition not only sharpens athletic ability but also builds character and discipline beyond the track. Ebong maintained that providing constructive platforms like this helps steer youths away from negative influences. He further reaffirmed the federation’s strict stance on fairness, declaring that age falsification has no place in school sports and that the body operates a zero-tolerance policy against such practices.
As activities begin at the U.J. Esuene Stadium from March 5 to 7, Calabar is already getting ready for the excitement. More than 1,000 athletes representing 121 schools are expected to compete in close to 100 events, setting the stage for what promises to be another landmark edition of MTN Champs in Nigeria’s pursuit of international sporting excellence.
MTN CHAMPS is already Nigeria’s largest secondary school athletics platform, with past seasons attracting thousands of competitors. Season 4 has been expanded to feature close to 94 track and field events across four age categories. Cadet, Youth, Junior and Senior, offering broad participation for students and other athletes alike.
