Ezechukwu, Adaeze Eye Los Angeles Olympics Gold After Receiving NSC’s Cash Reward

Having received cash prizes of N3m from the National Sports Commission (NSC) for winning gold at the African Youth Games in Angola and the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Miracle Oluebube Ezechukwu, from Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC), Abuja, has set her sights on a gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The teenage athlete, who excelled in the girls’ 400m event at the 2025 African Youth Games in Angola – securing the gold medal in 55.16s ahead of Ethiopia’s Desta Kurni (56.74s) and Congo’s Maguerita Athouaby (58.22s) – received a financial reward yesterday. This recognition was alongside other student-athletes from Nigerian Tulip International College who made Nigeria proud in their various events last year.

A total of six student-athletes received various financial awards during the NSC’s nationwide appreciation tour at the NTIC Auditorium in Abuja.

Speaking to journalists after receiving her award, the 16-year-old sprinter expressed surprise at the recognition and pledged to continue working hard.

“First of all, I would say a very big thank you to NTIC for supporting my coach and me. Representing Nigeria and competing with my peers has really given me a great opportunity. I see myself being the Olympic champion at the next Olympic Games,” Ezechukwu declared.

She added that competing at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, against established, senior athletes had helped her gain valuable experience to advance her career. “Yes, Saudi Arabia was really great. Although I didn’t win every race, it was really good because I was able to compete against seniors. I was really happy to perform, and we got a gold medal. It really helped me not to be scared of anyone whenever I’m allowed to compete.”

Fellow recipient, long jumper Adaeze Ezeh Precious, also expressed her gratitude to both her school and the NSC, admitting the recognition was unexpected. “I didn’t know I was coming on stage to receive the cash reward, and it will spur me on to do more for the school and the country. The next major target is the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” she affirmed.

The presentation ceremony, led by Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, and Bukola Olopade, the commission’s Director General, was met with enthusiastic cheers from students and schoolmates gathered at the NTIC Auditorium, all celebrating the young athletes’ impressive achievements.

The presentation of the cash reward by the chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the director general of the commission, Bukola Olopade, drew loud cheers from students of Nigerian Tulip International College, where the athlete studies, and their schoolmates gathered at the Auditorium to celebrate her achievement.