We write in response to the statement recently issued by Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe on behalf of the Athletics and Other Sports Development Initiative regarding MTN CHAMPS – particularly the claims regarding unpaid prize money to athletes. The statement is completely false, defamatory and libelous, as such we believe it is important to set the record straight.
MTN CHAMPS is, and has always been, primarily a secondary school initiative aimed at providing a platform for young athletes to develop and showcase their talents. Across ten competitions spanning three seasons, with 19,500 Athletes and 1,150 secondary schools participating to date, not once has cash prize money been announced or promised. The claim that any athletes are being owed winning prizes or prize money is a complete falsehood that is not grounded in reality.
Regarding the 2024 Event held in Jos, we can confirm that all necessary arrangements were made – accommodation for athletes traveling from outside the city was duly provided in collaboration with the host state, with transport and logistics for all secondary school athletes – in the Youth (U17) and Cadet (U14) age categories – managed by the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF). Competing athletes across all 4 age groups for MTN CHAMPS (hence including the Juniors (U20) and Seniors) are also provided lunch on every day of each competition, since inception in 2023.
If these facts were unclear, a simple inquiry would have sufficed—though admittedly, not as headline-grabbing as a fabricated scandal. We are particularly dismayed by the defamatory suggestion that Mr. Deji Aliu, MoC Head Coach, is implicated in any form of financial impropriety. For clarity, Mr. Deji Aliu is not, and has never been, responsible for the managing finances of MTN CHAMPS. To suggest otherwise is not only false but clearly an opportunistic and calculated attempt to exploit his public profile to give weight to a completely unfounded narrative.
Making of Champions holds itself to the highest standards of integrity and transparency —principles we have consistently upheld through our unwavering efforts to promote accountability in the sport. The allegations that sponsorship funds were misappropriated or that any member of our team engaged in misconduct are not only baseless but plainly defamatory.
Accordingly, we respectfully demand a full public apology and a complete retraction of the statement no later than Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025. Failure to comply will result in immediate legal action for libel, wherein the affected parties will be seeking appropriate remedies, including damages.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to the development of athletics in Nigeria. While we welcome constructive feedback, we will not hesitate to challenge the dissemination of reckless falsehoods calculated to discredit our mission, derail our efforts, or damage our reputation – and that of our sponsors.
Many thanks,
Bambo Akani
Founder & CEO, Making of Champions
