Ahead of MTN CHAMPS Uyo, which takes centrestage at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium from October 26th to 28th, members of Making of Champions paid a courtesy call on the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, Mrs. Beatrice Udoinyang on Tuesday, October 24th.
The visit, which took place in the Permanent Secretary’s office, had in attendance the Director of Youth Development – Rev. Emmanuel Akpabio; Director, Accounts and Finance – Mr. Godwin Ibanga, and Head, Planning, Research and Statistics – Mrs. Peace Dan.
Others were Country Director, MoC, Brian Anigbo; Country Manager, MoC, Deji Ogeyingbo; Technical member, MoC, Ibrahim Abiodun; President, Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Athletics Coaches Association of Nigeria (ACAN), Daniel Umoette, and Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Athletics Association, Janet Bassey.
While receiving the team, Udoinyang described Akwa Ibom as a land of opportunities with dependable and accommodating people who are open to positive opportunities. She promised government’s collaboration, while imploring the state sports stakeholders to cooperate with MoC in their quest to unearth future champions for Nigeria.
The Ministry’s Chief Accounting Officer who commended the company’s venturing into sports development, said nurturing of young talents into future champions is a laudable venture.
Ogeyingbo noted that as a state, Akwa Ibom has produced notable track and field athletes for Nigeria such as Sydney 2000 Olympic GOLD medallist Enefiok Udo-Obong, and Imaobong Nse Uko who is the MTN CHAMPS Ambassador for Uyo.
He also disclosed that MTN CHAMPS is focused on athletes under the age of 20 to give students an opportunity to participate in track and field, with about 360 to be won.
Furthermore, he hinted that the six (6) Most Valuable Performers (MVPs) and four Golden Performers would compete in the Grand Final at Abuja, which would host all the regional winners, whilst the 10 best athletes overall would benefit from a sponsorship by MTN to the MoC Academy in Lagos.
Meanwhile, Anigbo described the development as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s rich Athletics history in terms of getting the best of talents who would take over from the present generation of athletes.
MTN is the title sponsor of the three-day event, while the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), SuperSports and Nigerian Breweries are other bodies partnering with Making of Champions to organise a successful event.
In his vote of thanks, the Director of Sports, Elder Ifiok Duff appreciated the Permanent Secretary for granting the team audience while lauding Making of Champions for coming to Akwa Ibom State for a noble cause.
