The Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) have made an impressive start at their inaugural National Sports Festival in Ogun State, winning four medals comprising two gold, one silver, and one bronze within the first two days of the Games.
The IJA also prevented the Elite Athletes from claiming any of these accolades.
Amarachi Chijioke and Scholastical Tekumbur etched their names in history by securing gold and bronze medals in the women’s 45kg category.
Chijioke excelled with two gold medals in the clean and jerk event, achieving a personal best lift of 82kg, while Tekumbur proudly took home the bronze in the same discipline.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has been significant commended for IJA which was introduced as part of this year’s Festival.
As the 38th state, the early performances of the junior athletes have already validated the importance of this innovative inclusion.
The NSC launched the Invited Junior Athletes initiative to establish a unique and scientific pathway for transitioning junior athletes to elite status, thereby addressing a gap that has long existed in the Nigerian sports.
Director-General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade emphasised that the IJA was conceived to connect grassroots talent with elite sports.
“Ninety (90) percent of the young athletes representing IJA are champions from youth competitions. Those who have defied expectations by securing medals have automatically been elevated to elite status and are now eligible for elite grants, which will help prepare them for the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Championships next year.
“While we did not anticipate our athletes winning medals during this first outing—our primary aim was to provide them with exposure by competing alongside elite athletes—their achievement of four medals thus far indicates that our junior competitors are more than ready to take on the challenge,” Olopade added.
A total of thirty-eight (38) junior athletes across various sports are representing the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) at the 2024 Gateway Games.
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