Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has expressed deep pride in Nigeria’s junior athletes following their remarkable performance on Day 4 of athletics at the ongoing African School Games in Algeria. Team Nigeria clinched an impressive six medals — two gold and four silver — in a single day, reaffirming the nation’s rising strength in youth athletics.
Olopade, who traveled to Algeria to witness the competition firsthand, underscored the importance of leadership presence and moral support in shaping the next generation of sporting champions.
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“I came here to support these young athletes as the future of Nigerian sports, so I need to be here to encourage them,” Olopade said. “A lot of these athletes are a product of our Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative and they’ve continued to grow steadily, making the IJA initiative a success story we are proud of.”
In one of the day’s standout events, Nigeria dominated the Girls’ 200m Final with Miracle Ezechukwu taking gold and Rosemary Chigozie Nwankwo winning silver — a reversal of their results in the 100m Final, where Rosemary had earlier claimed gold and Miracle silver. The duo’s consistent podium finishes have made them two of the brightest stars of the Games.
In the Boys’ 200m, Perfect Faye added to Nigeria’s tally with a determined silver-medal finish. The field events also brought success, as Mohammed Jimoh soared to a silver medal in the High Jump, showcasing Nigeria’s depth beyond the track.
The medal run continued in the relays. The Girls’ Medley Relay Team — made up of Ezechukwu, Nwankwo, Eniololobo Rebecca, and Jecinter Lawrence Andrew — delivered a commanding performance to secure gold. Their synergy and speed were unmatched, capping off a strong showing for the female squad.
The Boys’ Medley Relay quartet — Emmanuel Akolo, Mohammed Jimoh, Perfect Faye, and Jesulayomi Ogundijo — fought hard in a tightly contested race to earn silver, rounding off Nigeria’s six-medal haul for the day.
Olopade praised not only the medalists but the entire team and their coaching staff, highlighting the role of structured youth development in delivering results.
“What we’ve seen here is the result of intentional scouting, grassroots investment, and disciplined coaching. These athletes are more than medalists — they are the future of Nigerian sports, and we will continue to invest in them,” he added.
As the African School Games continue, Team Nigeria’s performance stands as a testament to the country’s commitment to youth talent development and competitive excellence on the continental stage.
