Gateway Games: Olopade happy with IJA performances so far
Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2024.
A visibly excited Olopade spoke after presenting medals to IJA swimmer Aidan Dumuje Abili at the swimming event venue. Abili has so far won three medals—two silver and one bronze.
“It gladdens my heart to see the immediate impact of this new IJA project we initiated at the NSC. We decided to give these kids the opportunity to compete at the elite level, and so far, they are proving that age is just a number. With the performances we are seeing at this Festival, one can only imagine what they will achieve in the years ahead with even more exposure. They have shown no fear at these Games, which is commendable,” said the NSC DG.
Abili, in his remarks, thanked the NSC leadership for the opportunity given to junior athletes to feature at the National Sports Festival.
“I have not participated at this level before. On behalf of the other IJA athletes, I thank the NSC for this opportunity. I have learnt quite a lot here. This exposure will surely help me in my career,” he said.
He also pledged to use the Gateway Games experience as a springboard to represent Nigeria at global events.
“I now have my eyes on the Youth Olympics. After that, I will target the Olympics in the years ahead. I will do my best to put Nigeria on the podium in appreciation of this opportunity. We have to make this IJA experience count,” he added.
Abili, a triple gold medalist at the 2024 National Youth Games, won silver medals in the 50m and 100m backstroke, and a bronze in the 200m backstroke.
