Invited junior athletes shine with four medals at Gateway Games

The Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) have made an impressive debut at the Gateway Games in Ogun State, clinching four medals within the first two days of the National Sports Festival.

Competing in the 45kg women’s weightlifting category, Amarachi Chijioke and Scholastical Tekumbur delivered standout performances. Chijioke secured two gold medals in the clean and jerk with a top lift of 82kg, while Tekumbur added a bronze in the same event.

Tekumbur also claimed a silver medal in another lift category, bringing IJA’s total to two gold, one silver, and one bronze—surpassing expectations for their inaugural appearance.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has received praise for launching the IJA initiative, which includes 38 junior athletes competing as a symbolic 38th state at the Games.

The IJA programme was designed to bridge the gap between grassroots talents and elite sports by creating a structured transition for young athletes.

NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, noted that many of the IJA athletes are champions from the National Youth Games, and some have now earned elite status through their medal wins.

“These medalists now qualify for elite grants that will prepare them for the Olympics and Commonwealth Championships next year,” Olopade said.

Although the original goal was to provide exposure, the early medal haul has proven that the junior athletes are already challenging the nation’s top competitors.