…NSC DG, Bukola Olopade applauds Governor Abiodun’s SSA, Tunde Delu
The inaugural RIYE Under-15 Athletics Circuit which began with zonal qualifying events across Ogun State’s four sporting districts—Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba—culminated into top-performing athletes converging on Abeokuta for the grand finale.
The championship which featured boys’ and girls’ events in the 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres, 800 metres, mixed 4×100 metres relay, mixed 4×400 metres relay, shot put, long jump and high jump, had more than 2,000 athletes from over 200 schools across the Gateway State participating.
The convener, who is also a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Hon. Tunde Delu has however been applauded for his passion for Sports Development in Nigeria.
Former Ogun State Commissioner for Sports and current Director-General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, who also eulogised Hon. Delu for creating a platform meant to discover young, talented athletes from communities across the state gave the commendation at the well-attended grand finale of the maiden RIYE Under-15 Athletics Circuit competition held on Friday at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He said the initiative reflected Delu’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and sports development, urging more private individuals and organisations to invest in grassroots programmes capable of identifying and nurturing future stars.
“Hon. Tunde Delu has demonstrated genuine passion for sports development by creating another pathway for young talents to be discovered. I commend him for investing in the future of these children through athletics. This is exactly the kind of initiative Nigeria needs,” Olopade said.
The DG maintained that grassroots competitions affords the youngsters unique platforms to build careers, develop life skills and contribute meaningfully to society.
“When we create opportunities like this for children, we are doing much more than organising competitions,” Olopade added.
In an interview, the convener, Hon. Delu assured that the the RIYE Under-15 Athletics Circuit would become an annual event, to identify, nurture and develop young talents who would representing make Ogun State and Nigeria proud at the global scene.
The initiator said he was fulfiled saying the championship achieved its objectives while expressing optimism for bigger outings in future.
“From next year, we are looking forward to discovering more talents and accommodating more athletes to express themselves because it is good for Ogun State and the country,” Delu added.
According to him, RIYE Athletics Circuit would evolve into junior, intermediate and elite competitions to attract athletes from across country. He further let out that talent scouts and coaches have indicated interest in several athletes.
The championship is widely regarded as another significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s athletics development pathway and ensuring a steady pipeline of future stars.
For standout performers at the championship was 14-year-old Olufunmilayo Kuku of Muslim Girls High School, Ijebu-Ode winning three gold medals in the 100 metres, 200 metres and the 100 metres relay
On the boys’ side, 13-year-old Sodiq Olaniyi of Luba Comprehensive High School, Ijebu-Ode, won gold medals in both the 400 metres and the 400 metres relay events.
The 13-year-old clocked an outstanding 55.34 seconds to win the keenly contested 400 metres final, finishing ahead of Haruna Abdul-Basit who cloced 55.63secs and Adisa Lasisi with 56.65secs.
