The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has applauded the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its nationwide appreciation tour aimed at recognising and rewarding outstanding young Nigerian athletes who have distinguished themselves at both national and international competitions.
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Adeboye described the initiative, led by the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, as a bold step toward strengthening grassroots sports development and motivating young athletes across the country.
The appreciation tour, which began earlier in the week with a visit to Grange School, Lagos, continued on Thursday in Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola was presented with a ₦3 million cheque in recognition of her exceptional performances.
Majekodunmi has emerged as one of Nigeria’s brightest young track athletes, delivering an impressive run of performances in recent competitions.
She won gold medals in the 400 metres and the 4x400m relay at the 2024 National Sports Festival, before repeating the same feat at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship in Abeokuta.
Her remarkable achievements continued at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola, where she also emerged as one of the standout performers, further establishing herself as a rising star in Nigerian athletics.
Speaking during the presentation in Abeokuta, Hon. Bukola Olopade explained that the Commission decided to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed there was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” Olopade stated.
He revealed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, highlighting the importance of continued investment in youth sports development.
The Commission also explained that the decision to present the awards at athletes’ schools and training grounds was deliberate, as it promotes transparency, discourages age cheating, and demonstrates how talents are being discovered and nurtured directly within the school system.
Reacting to the recognition, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola expressed deep appreciation to the National Sports Commission and pledged to continue working hard to make Nigeria proud. She also revealed her ambition to secure a podium finish at the forthcoming Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
The appreciation tour had earlier commenced in Lagos, where teenage swimmers Aidan Dumuije-Abili and Tofunmi Ibidapo were honoured for their remarkable performances at the 2025 Africa Zone 2 Swimming Championship, where Team Nigeria broke several continental records.
Fourteen-year-old Aidan Dumuije-Abili set five new Africa Zone 2 records, winning six gold medals, one silver, and one bronze, and was named the Most Valuable Junior Athlete of the tournament.
Tofunmi Ibidapo also impressed by winning gold, silver, and bronze medals across individual and relay events, further strengthening Nigeria’s dominance in the competition.
Commending the initiative, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye said the recognition of young athletes at the grassroots level will inspire more Nigerian youths to pursue sports with discipline and determination.
“When young athletes are recognised and rewarded for their achievements, it sends a strong message that the nation values their hard work. This kind of encouragement is very important for building confidence and inspiring the next generation of champions,” Adeboye said.
He added that grassroots sports remain the foundation of Nigeria’s future sporting success, noting that early talent identification and proper support will ensure that more young Nigerians rise to represent the country on the global stage.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government is committed to creating opportunities for young Nigerians through sports. Initiatives like this show clearly that the future of Nigerian sports lies in investing in our grassroots talents,” the SSA added.
The appreciation tour is expected to continue in the coming days, with the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, scheduled to visit Delta State, Akwa Ibom State, and Abuja as the Commission sustains its drive to celebrate and support Nigeria’s emerging sporting talents.
