Age manipulation major setback to athletics growth — MTN

The Mobile Telephone Network, MTN, has attributed manipulation of ages by the athletes as a major factor militating against sports development in the country.

He described the development as uphill, faced by the organiser of the annual MTN CHAMPS in the Country.

The Operations and Head of Resources Manager of the multinational Telecoms service in Nigeria, Moshood Hassan, made this known at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, the venue of the annual sporting event.

Hassan said the event was designed to celebrate the development of athletics in Nigeria, as well serves as a platform for young Nigerian talents in track and field to grow, develop, and progress through the ranks, with the ultimate goal of producing future Olympians.

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The MTN CHAMPS is a premier Nigerian grassroots athletics talent search program launched in 2023 to discover, train, and support young athletes to become global champions.

He added that since the commencement of the programme, age manipulation has been its major challenge and the organizers are determined to fine permanent solution to it.

“This competition is designed to celebrate the development of athletics in Nigeria. More importantly, it serves as a platform for young Nigerian talents in track and field to grow, develop, and progress through the ranks, with the ultimate goal of producing future Olympians.

“The competition started in 2023, which was our first season, and now we are in season four in 2026. Over the past four years, we’ve taken this event across different parts of the country, giving school children and athletes a platform to showcase their abilities while also supporting their development.

“This work is very fulfilling. It’s not just about earning a living; it’s about contributing to your country. When you work with young athletes and watch them grow over the years, seeing some of them progress to represent Nigeria at higher levels, it gives a deep sense of satisfaction.

“It shows that we are doing something meaningful and helping shape the future of Nigerian sports.

“However, our first major challenge is infrastructure. There are not many sporting facilities in Nigeria that can host a competition of this scale.

“Each year, we travel across the country to identify suitable venues in different regions. So, athletes can access the competition more easily.

“For example, our first competition was held in Calabar in Cross River State; then we moved to Jos in Plateau State; and now we are hosting the Grand Finals in Ibadan, Oyo State.

“The idea is to create regional access: Athletes from the South-South and South-East can compete in Calabar; athletes from the North can compete in Jos; while athletes from the South-West can compete in Ibadan.”