MoC Academy announced its arrival on the national athletics scene in spectacular fashion, clinching eight medals at its maiden appearance in the 2024 MTN Champs held at Lagos’ Teslim Balogun Stadium. The tournament, which concluded on Sunday, saw the rookie academy secure three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals, signaling its emergence as a force in Nigerian track and field.
The three-day event, featuring over 3,000 athletes from 200 schools and academies nationwide, witnessed standout performances from MoC’s roster. Rising star Tobi Adeyemi led the charge, dominating the U-17 200m finals with a blistering 23.45-second sprint to claim gold. Teammates Grace Okafor (U-20 long jump) and the U-17 boys’ 4x100m relay team also delivered gold-winning performances, while other athletes added silver and bronze across sprint and field events.
“This is beyond our expectations for a first outing,” said MoC Academy Head Coach, Dideoluwa Ogunkanmi. “Our athletes trained relentlessly, and this result proves that Nigeria’s future in athletics is bright. We’re just getting started.”
Founded in 2022 by former Olympian Maria Oshodi, MoC Academy aims to nurture young talent through world-class coaching and infrastructure. The Lagos-based institution has quickly gained attention for its grassroots development programs.
The MTN Champs, sponsored by telecommunications giant MTN, is Nigeria’s largest secondary school athletics series. Now in its fourth edition, the event has become a critical platform for discovering elite junior athletes, with past participants progressing to continental and global competitions.
“MoC’s debut success underscores the depth of talent in Nigeria’s youth sports ecosystem,” noted MTN Champs Director Deji Ogeyingbo. “We’re proud to partner with initiatives that unearth these future champions.”
As the academy basks in its breakthrough, officials hint at grander ambitions. “We’re expanding our facilities and partnerships to empower more young athletes,” revealed MoC Director Akinwande Smith. “This is the first step toward dominating African athletics.”
The next MTN Champs leg is scheduled for June in Abuja, with MoC Academy expected to build on its meteoric debut.
MoC Academy Stuns with Eight-Medal Haul in Debut at MTN Champs
