Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), has expressed delight at the standout performances of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) at the 22nd National Sports Festival, Ogun 2024.
Speaking after the medal presentation at the swimming event, Olopade lauded IJA swimmer Aidan Dumuje Abili, who clinched three medals—two silver and one bronze—at the competition.
“It’s heartwarming to witness the immediate impact of the IJA initiative,” Olopade said. “These young athletes are proving that age is just a number. Their fearless performances at this Festival signal a bright future with greater exposure.”
Abili, a triple gold medalist from the 2024 National Youth Games, secured silver in the 50m and 100m backstroke events and bronze in the 200m backstroke. Expressing gratitude to the NSC, he said, “This is my first time competing at this level. On behalf of my fellow IJA athletes, I thank the NSC for this opportunity. The experience here will shape my career.”
The young swimmer set his sights on global stages, vowing to leverage his Gateway Games participation to achieve podium finishes. “My focus is on the Youth Olympics, and later, the Olympics. I’m determined to make Nigeria proud and ensure this IJA opportunity counts,” Abili added.
The IJA program, a new NSC initiative, aims to provide young athletes with elite-level exposure, and early results suggest a promising future for Nigerian sports.