Teen sensation Queen Nwika shines at MTN Champs Uyo Grand ...

Queen Nwika, a student of Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Port Harcourt, made a dazzling debut at the MTN Champs Grand Final in Uyo, claiming gold in both the Triple Jump and Long Jump events. Her feat has cemented her status as one of Nigeria’s most promising young athletes and underscored the power of grassroots talent discovery.

MTN Champs, Nigeria’s largest grassroots athletics competition, continues to provide an essential platform for emerging stars to showcase their abilities and prepare for national and international competition. Queen’s exceptional performance stands out not just for her medal haul, but for the promise she holds for Nigeria’s athletics future.

Behind Queen’s triumph is Coach Gift Opurum, a former athlete turned coach, who has dedicated his career to grooming talent from the grassroots. After completing a global coaching course, Opurum made it his mission to train athletes who would reach the Olympic stage—an achievement he narrowly missed during his sporting career.

“As an athlete, I didn’t get to the Olympic stage, so I decided to train people who will become Olympians and world bests,” Opurum said. “Queen is just a secondary school student, but I’m hoping that by next year, she can go even further.”

Queen’s journey to gold has not been without obstacles. Financial constraints, limited family support, and the high cost of competition are common hurdles for many young athletes in Nigeria. Coach Opurum has watched promising talents fall away under the weight of these pressures.

“Queen is not my first athlete. Some athletes come and go. Some have been discouraged by finances, parents and friends,” he explained. “For Queen, I sought the attention of her parents and talked them into understanding. She also gave everything. I was sure she would do well, so I had to bring her. And as she’s done this, I know it will spur her to do even better.”

The MTN Champs platform has become instrumental for coaches like Opurum, enabling them to identify and nurture talent with the potential to excel nationally and beyond. For him, Queen’s success is not just a personal victory—it is a sign of what’s possible when determination meets opportunity.

As he continues to mentor young athletes, Opurum is focused on developing Nigeria’s next generation of Olympians. He believes the key lies in instilling discipline, commitment, and vision in both the athlete and the coach.

“Athletes should have commitment, dedication and a hunger to become a champion. A coach should have the desire to get their athlete to the top stage. As a coach, my utmost desire is to train people who will do far better than I did,” he said.