• Super Admin
• 08 Mar, 2026

Participating schools at the opening leg of MTN CHAMPS Season 4 in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, will smile to the bank with cash rewards for making the podium, as well as special attendance incentives. The first leg of the new season kicked off at the U.J. Esuene Stadium on Thursday, with champions emerging in some of the events on Friday. Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, announced significant monetary rewards for top-performing schools to help strengthen their internal sports programmes, as well as special attendance rewards for schools that mobilise large numbers of students to support their athletes. Cash prizes for podium finishes range from N2,000,000, N1,500,000, N1,000,000, and N500,000 for first to fourth place, respectively. The special attendance reward also ranges from N5,000,000, N3,000,000, N2,000,000, N1,500,000, and N1,000,000 for first to fifth place. As consolation prizes, schools placing sixth to 10th in attendance will each receive N500,000. The initiative is designed to encourage school spirit while providing financial support that can be reinvested into athletics development, including inter-house sports competitions and other grassroots sporting activities. "MTN is delighted to bring CHAMPS back to Calabar, a place where talent truly grows," she said. "Looking back at our journey, over 22,000 young people from more than 1,000 schools have participated in the last three seasons. Our academy athletes have already won 14 national medals and achieved international success at events like the Islamic Solidarity Games. We are creating opportunities for young Nigerians to shine globally." Managing Director of Making of Champions, Yemi Galadima, highlighted the importance of the renewed partnership. "This partnership has played a pivotal role in the athletics industry," Galadima said. "The competition in Calabar is key to helping Nigeria qualify for the World Relays. We thank MTN Nigeria for extending this partnership for the next three years." A major highlight of this season is its critical role as one of the qualifying pathways for Team Nigeria ahead of the World Relays. Source: https://punchng.com/school-sports-receive-boost-at-mtn-champs-calabar/