Supporting Our Communities’ Physical and Mental Health and Social Wellbeing—One Community at a Time

Champs City, in partnership with FirstBank, successfully hosted the inaugural edition of GETFIT WITH CHAMPS at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) on Saturday, 18 April 2026.

Hundreds of participants—including UNEC students and members of surrounding communities—joined staff of FirstBank and Champs City for an energising morning of aerobics, dance, games, free mental health consultations, and engaging brand activations.

GETFIT WITH CHAMPS is designed to improve the physical and mental health, as well as the social well-being, of individuals within our communities. The initiative reflects Champs City’s commitment to a culture and tradition rooted in community and care, dignity and excellence.

Feedback gathered by members of the organising team indicates that participants were highly satisfied with the experience. Many attendees arrived unsure of what to expect but left energised, inspired, and fulfilled by the overall event.

Participants’ Experiences

Madaki Miango-Ujah, a volunteer responsible for mobilising UNEC students, noted:

“The turnout and level of participation exceeded expectations. Students are often reluctant at events, but this was different. Many participants are already looking forward to future editions of GETFIT WITH CHAMPS. It shows how much they enjoyed the aerobics, games, and psychology consultations.”

Ifunanya Adigwe, a UNEC student, shared her experience:

“It was a very lovely experience. You never really know what to expect at an event until you experience it, but this exceeded my expectations. I was able to exercise, connect with people, and enjoy the entire atmosphere.

“I especially appreciated the presence of the psychologists. It gave people the opportunity to open up about their challenges without fear or judgment—just someone listening and offering support. I look forward to an even better experience in future editions.”

Kosisochukwu Ogbonna, also a UNEC student, added:

“I really enjoyed myself. Everything felt refreshing—especially mentally. The activities, games, and workouts were engaging and fun, and I look forward to attending again.”

Event Highlights

One of the standout moments of the event came during a fitness challenge, when an elderly woman—believed to be in her early 60s—won a squatting competition against participants in their early 20s. Her remarkable performance drew loud cheers from the crowd, with chants of “Go mama! Go mama! Go mama!” filling the air.

The moment not only electrified the event but also reinforced a powerful message: fitness is not defined by age, but by consistency and commitment.

Another major highlight was the free mental health awareness session and psychology consultations. Several participants benefited from one-on-one sessions with professional psychologists, with each consultation lasting up to an hour.

Speaking on the impact of the initiative, Dr Austin Ozuogwu, one of the volunteer psychologists, said:

“Today is a remarkable day in Enugu State. We witnessed a large turnout of students who came out for GETFIT WITH CHAMPS. Beyond the physical activities, participants could access psychological support.

“I am particularly pleased that some students with minor psychological concerns received help. We also provided information to many who previously did not know where to access mental health services.

As a result, they now know where to seek help—even in emergencies. It was a brilliant outing, and I look forward to future editions.”

Looking Ahead

Representatives of the co-hosts expressed strong satisfaction with the event’s success and enthusiasm for future collaborations.

Odinaka Iloh, President of Champs City, said:

“I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. It met our expectations and reinforced our belief in the power of sport as a tool for community engagement and positive social impact. While we are happy with the level of success achieved, we acknowledge that there is always room for improvement. So, we will take important lessons from this inaugural edition and apply them in future programs.”

All things being equal, the next edition of GETFIT WITH CHAMPS is scheduled to take place at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus on Saturday, 22 August 2026.