The Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has disclosed that plans are afoot by his commission, to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Education to create centers of excellence around schools as basics of grassroots sports development.
According to him, each part of the country is intended to have: one university as a center of excellence in sports, each state, to have one secondary school as a center of excellence for sports, even as each local government will have one primary school as a center of excellence for sports,.
The NSC Chairman who bared the minds of the Federal Government through his commission, during the closing ceremony of the MTN Champs season 03 in Uyo, on Friday, said the creation of excellence centers for sports is aimed at giving the youths the path to grow to the best they can be in their own chosen career in sports.
“The focus of sports in Nigeria at the moment is youth development and is targeted at the grassroots. This is why the president appointed a special committee on grassroots sports, because of the vision and the mindset that grassroots sport is the future.
“I must commend MTN especially for what they’re doing with this. It is quite commendable. It’s quite brilliant. This is in alignment with the vision of the president, to give the youth the opportunity for a better future and this is why we had to be here,” he noted.
Sporting Tribune reports that the third season of MTN Champs concluded with a finale marked by local triumphs, raw talent, and the unveiling of Nigeria’s next athletic MVPs.
No fewer than 10 additional Most Valuable Performers (MVPs) were announced to be added to MTN Champs academy, which now holds 30 elite youth athletes, including three standout MVPs from Akwa Ibom State.
The grassroots athletics competition, which spanned three cities, Benin, Lagos, and Uyo, saw over 7,000 young athletes register to compete in track and field events designed to discover and nurture the country’s next generation of sporting stars.
At the closing ceremony, Modupe Kadiri, Chief Financial Officer of MTN Nigeria, applauded the level of performance and the spirit of the young athletes.
“We have witnessed raw talent, unwavering dedication, and the bright future of Nigerian athletics unfold before our very eyes. The MTN Champs is not just a competition, it is a platform for dreams.” Kadiri said
Kadiri also acknowledged the support of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, and the hospitality of the host state. She also acknowledged the role of local institutions in creating an enabling environment for youth sports to thrive.
“We have been deeply touched by the incredible hospitality and beauty of Akwa Ibom State,” she said.
The inter-school competitions during the Uyo finale were a key highlight, with schools competing in both cadet and youth categories. Results showed strong performances from Akwa Ibom-based institutions, positioning them as hubs of future athletic excellence.
Community Secondary School Itam emerged first price winner with 26 points for the cadet girls trophy, Lutheran High School, Obot Idim emerged second with 23 points while Ibiaku Itam emerged third with 22 points.
In the Cadet Boys Trophy, Aunty Iso International School emerged first with 29 points, followed by Lutheran High School with 14 points and Four Towns Community School with 11 points.
For the Youth Gurls Trophy, Charity of the Most Precious Blood emerged first with 35 points, followed by Lutheran High: 21 points and Ikot Ibiok Girls with 20 points. On the Youth Boys Trophy, Aunty Iso International School emerged first with 17 points, Osadenis Mixed Secondary took second with 16 points and Presbyterian Senior Science School, Ididep scored 16 points to emerge third.
Bringing the weeklong event to a close, Governor Umo Eno, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, commended MTN Nigeria for its commitment to youth development.
He noted that the initiative aligns perfectly with his administration’s ARISE Agenda and pledged continued support for programs that empower and young people across the state and country at large.
