Her story
From the track to the system that supports it
Star Chioma Mpama is a Nigerian long-sprint athlete who specialises in the 400m and 800m. She has competed in 4×400m and 4×100m relays recorded by World Athletics, and her coach, Obinna Metu, has described her achievements as reflecting "exceptional abilities in long sprints and relays."
Excellence in US collegiate athletics
At Butler Community College in the United States, Star became a 10-time NJCAA All-American and a two-time NJCAA Academic All-American, recognition for performance on the track and in the classroom. She set school records in the 800m (indoor and outdoor), the 600m and the 4×800m, and was named Horizon Leader of the Year 2024 at Butler Community College.
Opening doors for other athletes
Star knows first-hand what a scholarship can change. Through her work with Scholarbook, she has helped more than 100 athletes from across Africa secure athletic scholarships in the United States, and she has raised funds so that Nigerian athletes could pursue their academic dreams abroad. Her work has been recognised with the Beacon of Hope Award from sports brand The Athletic Heat.
Founding Paragon
Along the way, Star saw how many gifted athletes stall not for lack of talent, but for lack of spikes, food, transport, documents or guidance. She founded Paragon Sports Development Foundation to close that gap, through Kit Up an Athlete, the Athlete Impact Fund, Feed an Athlete, and Education & Advocacy.
Her storytelling platform, Beyond the Finish Line with Star, gives athletes space to share the realities behind their performances. Its first anniversary in 2025 inspired the Athlete Impact Fund, which has since supported ten athletes across Zimbabwe, The Gambia and Nigeria.
Advocate and ambassador
Star speaks up for athletes off the track too. She writes on athlete safeguarding, arguing that athlete development in Africa must include athlete protection, and in 2026 she was appointed an Official Ambassador of the International Organization of Youth (IOY) for the 2026–2027 term.