The Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, on Monday, reiterated the state government’s commitment to youth development and grassroots sports as Ibadan prepares to host the grand finale of MTN Champs Season 4, which is expected to draw over 3,200 athletes from across Nigeria.

She stated this during a press briefing held at Jericho, Ibadan, ahead of a three-day championship scheduled to take place at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

Adegoke explained that the state government had made adequate preparations to host athletes, officials and spectators, emphasising that the competition aligns with its broader agenda of youth empowerment and sports development.

MTN Champs is a track and field competition set to discover outstanding athletes from schools across Nigeria.

The Season 4 Grand Finale, scheduled to run from April 14 to April 17, 2026, is expected to bring together young athletes, coaches, sports enthusiasts and key stakeholders in a competitive atmosphere aimed at promoting excellence and opportunity in athletics.

The commissioner said, “The state government is fully committed to providing an enabling environment for programmes like this to thrive. We see sports as a critical tool for youth engagement, talent discovery and socio-economic development.

“The government would continue to support initiatives that identify and nurture young talents. The championship would further position the state as a hub for sporting excellence.

“The government is proud to partner with stakeholders to host this grand finale. We believe that many of these young athletes will go on to represent Nigeria on the global stage.”

Earlier, the founder of Making of Champions, Bambo Akani, revealed that a total of 3,200 athletes, 215 schools and 325 teams had registered for the competition.

Akani, who described the event as a significant platform for discovering and nurturing young athletic talent, added that several standout performers from previous editions are already benefiting from international opportunities.

“Some of the talented athletes discovered from earlier editions are currently on full scholarships in various schools in the United States. This shows the impact of what we are building,” he said.

He expressed confidence that athletes discovered through the MTN Champs initiative would continue to make the country proud in international competitions.

“We are not just organising competitions; we are building future champions. I strongly believe that many of these young athletes will go on to represent Nigeria with distinction at global events,” Akani added.

Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, will be fully fit to face Fenerbahçe in their crucial Super Lig match in two weeks’ time after being reintegrated into squad training on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Osimhen has been sidelined with an arm injury sustained against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League play-off before the international break, but the Nigerian is gradually returning to full fitness ahead of the Super Lig title run-in.

The 27-year-old has undergone surgery and took part in non-contact team training on Saturday, but he was not listed as Galatasaray faced Kocaelispor on Sunday.

According to a source close to the player and Nigerian OAP, Buchi Laba, Osimhen will be ready to return to action for the Istanbul derby on Sunday, April 26. There is also a chance he could feature against Gençlerbirliği, either in the league next Saturday or in their Turkish Cup quarter-final tie on Wednesday, April 22.

“The King is back! Victor Osimhen was part of training yesterday. Non-contact,” he wrote.

“There’s a little chance he will be available for the Gençlerbirliği game, whether in the league or cup, but he will be 100 per cent ready to start against Fenerbahçe in the league.”

On Saturday, his club also said, “Victor Osimhen trained with the team during the first part of the session, then continued his work under the supervision of physiotherapists on the field and in the gym as part of the special programme prepared for him.”

As their club led the Super Lig with two points before Sunday’s game, Galatasaray fans are hopeful of his earlier-than-expected return, especially ahead of the derby against rivals Fenerbahçe on April 26.

Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray on a permanent deal for €75m last summer, has made a significant impact, scoring 12 league goals and adding seven more in European competitions this season.

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In the wake of Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat by Atletico Madrid, coach Hansi Flick faces a dilemma for Saturday’s La Liga derby clash against Espanyol.

With the champions seven points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of the table, Flick may be tempted to rotate heavily ahead of Tuesday’s crucial second leg visit to face Atletico, trailing 2-0.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid hosts Girona on Friday and could cut the gap down to four points with a victory, which would make Flick’s choice harder.

Los Blancos are also in a tough spot following their 2-1 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League, but have a bigger gap between the Girona game and the second leg in Bavaria next Wednesday.

“We have also a derby in three days on Saturday, our next match, it’s also important for us to win,” said Flick.

“We will see, we will analyse everything, what kind of options we have.”

The worst-case scenario would be suffering a first league defeat at Camp Nou since its reopening before being eliminated from the Champions League anyway in the Spanish capital.

With the league Clasico against Real Madrid on May 10 appearing on the horizon, Flick is keen to maintain Barca’s lead, but the Champions League may take precedence.

Several players who have been reserves for much of the season, like Ronald Araujo, Marc Casado and Roony Bardghji, could come into the side to take on an Espanyol team in free-fall.

After a strong start to the season, Manolo Gonzalez’s team have failed to win in 2026, which began with a 2-0 home defeat by Barca that set off their slump.

Midfielder Pedri Gonzalez is fundamental for Barca but came off at half-time in the defeat by Atletico, with a minor physical issue.

“Pedri had some problems. No big problems but in this situation we need him (going forwards) — so we made the decision to take him off the pitch,” said Flick.

Flick will hope to have midfielder Frenkie de Jong available for the second leg at Atletico and the Dutchman returned to training this week after a hamstring injury.

The Dutchman has a chance of being included in the squad to face Espanyol, while Barca can also find encouragement in Gavi’s performance against Atletico as a substitute.

It could buy the 21-year-old more game time at the weekend as he continues to find fitness following a long injury lay-off. “Gavi had a fantastic game,” said Flick.

Atletico Madrid visit Sevilla on Saturday and Diego Simeone is certain to rest several key players.

The Argentine coach has been focused on the cup competitions in recent weeks with his team fourth in La Liga and unlikely to slip with Real Betis 12 points behind in fifth.

Player to watch: Vedat Muriqi

Mallorca’s Kosovan target man Muriqi scored a vital goal last week to help the team beat Real Madrid and boost their chances of avoiding relegation. The forward has 19 goals this season, trailing only La Liga’s top goalscorer Kylian Mbappe and will look to add to his tally against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday in another important game.

Key stats

0 – shots on target for struggling Sevilla last weekend against Real Oviedo.

12 – no goalkeeper has more clean sheets than Barca’s Joan Garcia.

58 – fouls committed by Real Sociedad defender Jon Aramburu, the most in the top flight.

Fixtures

Friday (all times GMT)

Real Madrid v Girona (1900)

Saturday

Real Sociedad v Alaves (1200), Elche v Valencia (1415), Barcelona v Espanyol (1630), Sevilla v Atletico Madrid (1900)

Sunday

Osasuna v Real Betis (1200), Mallorca v Rayo Vallecano (1415), Celta Vigo v Real Oviedo (1630), Athletic Bilbao v Villarreal (1900)

Monday

Levante v Getafe (1900)

AFP

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