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Professor of Exercise and Sports Science, Ezra Gunen, has emphasized the need for young athletes to balance sporting pursuits with education, as preparations intensify for the MTN Champs Season 4.
Speaking during a press briefing held at Valada Hotel & Resort Jos, Prof. Gunen commended MTN Nigeria and key stakeholders for their commitment to youth and sports development. He warmly welcomed participants and assured of an exciting and impactful three-day competition scheduled to hold from March 26 to 28 at Zaria Road Stadium.
The professor praised the initiative for its role in discovering and nurturing young talents, noting that many beneficiaries are already making remarkable progress. He, however, urged athletes to prioritize education alongside sports, stressing that “sports careers are time-bound, but education provides lifelong opportunities.”
Drawing from personal experience, Prof. Gunen revealed that he and several colleagues secured government employment through school sports scholarship schemes.
He expressed hope that the MTN Champs would not only produce elite athletes but also groom future academics, including professors.
“I will personally follow up on the growth of these athletes and help channel them into universities where sports scholarships are available,” he assured, adding that financial support systems must also be strengthened to aid athletes’ development.
Prof. Gunen further pledged collaboration with officials from the Ministry of Sports to ensure the competition is well-organized, timely, and enjoyable, with the ultimate goal of discovering outstanding talents.
Highlighting Plateau State’s natural advantage, he called on MTN Champs organizers to position the state as a hub for long-distance runners. According to him, Plateau’s altitude—ranging between 1,200 and 1,500 meters above sea level—provides a genetic and environmental advantage for middle- and long-distance events such as 400m, 800m, and 1500m races.
He noted significant improvements in marathon performance, revealing that while athletes previously recorded average times of 2 hours 30 minutes, recent performances have improved to approximately 2 hours 20 minutes since 2024. He added that the top ten finishers in the last Lagos City Marathon were all from Plateau State, underscoring the region’s potential.
To maximize this advantage, Prof. Gunen identified key training locations within the state, including the Zaria Road Stadium for sprint events, and high-altitude areas such as Vom (1,370m) and Pankshin (1,450m) for endurance training. He advocated for the adoption of scientifically driven training methods similar to those used in Kenya and Ethiopia, both renowned for producing world-class distance runners.
Prof Gunen, also called for stronger collaboration between MTN and the Plateau State Sports Council, noting that Governor Caleb Mutfwang is deeply committed to sports development.
He expressed optimism about the success of the current edition and encouraged sustained engagement, including future editions such as 2027.
The event also featured goodwill messages from the Plateau State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Musa Ashoms, represented by Permanent Secretary Mr. Kenneth Bonyem; the Director of Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education, Mr. Sebastian John, representing the Commissioner for Education; and the Head of Operations, National School Sports Federation, Mr. Sagiru Sani Dadango.
All speakers commended the MTN Champs initiative for its role in grassroots sports development and youth empowerment, while pledging continued institutional support for the programme.
Credit : Nathaniel Mobolade, Jos.
