Over 2000 athletes have gathered in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, for the second leg of the MTN CHAMPS holding at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
The two-day competition started yesterday and will end tomorrow with the athletes competing across three age categories.
At the media briefing heralding the competition on Wednesday to unveil the programme for the grassroots development project.
Vice President, Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Mr Emmanuel Ebong Ebong disclosed that Akwa Ibom was ready to showcase the immense talent available in the state.
He said: “We have a history of hosting big championships, but I want to appreciate Making of Champions for identifying with us, knowing quite well that at the grassroots we have budding talents that abound in the nooks and crannies of the nation, and Akwa Ibom State is not an exception.
“We want to appreciate you because you know we are the custodian of the children and a nursery for you to tap. Akwa Ibom is ready, and I assure you that you’re going to have great fun, excitement, and thrilling moments as far as this competition is concerned, coupled with the peaceful nature of the state.”
On his part, MTN’s General Manager, Regional Operations (South), Thankgod Otorkpa, highlighted MTN’s interest in getting the youth engaged in productive activities so as to curb their excesses.
He said: “At MTN, our contribution to Nigeria’s sports industry cannot be overemphasised, particularly in respect to CHAMPS. We believe that if you catch them young, you’ll be able to bend their minds on time. This is modelled after what obtains in Jamaica. Athletes are discovered at a very young age and then nurtured, taking them from the local stage to the global stage.
“At MTN, we are very particular about the future of the minds of these young ones and bringing them together in an environment like this to prepare them for the global stage cannot be overemphasised, so we’re stopping at nothing to ensure that we do all it takes to secure these young ones.”
