Kuku, Olaniyi Shine as RIYE U-15 Athletics Championship Uncovers Future Nigerian Stars
Oru Leonard
The maiden RIYE Under-15 Athletics Championship successfully unearthed a new generation of athletics talents, with outstanding performances from young competitors at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The one-day championship, which attracted athletes from the four sports divisions of Remo, Ijebu, Egba and Yewa (RIYE), saw 14-year-old Olufunmilayo Kuku of Muslim Girls High School, Ijebu-Ode, and 13-year-old Sodiq Olaniyi of Luba Comprehensive High School, Ijebu-Ode, emerge as the stars of the competition.
Kuku dominated the girls’ sprint events, winning gold medals in the 100 metres, 200 metres and the 100 metres relay while also setting a new personal best in the sprint finals. Her exceptional performance earned her a total prize purse of N150,000, with runners-up and third-place finishers in her events receiving N30,000 and N20,000 respectively.
Speaking after her victories, Kuku credited her coaches for her success, noting that the championship had already attracted the attention of talent scouts and sports stakeholders.
Olaniyi was equally impressive in the boys’ category, claiming gold in both the 400 metres and the 400 metres relay. He won the individual 400 metres in 55.34 seconds, narrowly beating Haruna Abdul-Basit, who finished in 55.63 seconds, while Adisa Lasisi secured bronze in 56.65 seconds.
The 13-year-old attributed his success to thorough preparation and quality coaching, earning N100,000 in prize money.
Another standout athlete was 14-year-old Ibrahim Abdul-Ahmed of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education Secondary School, Ijebu-Ode, who won the boys’ 100 metres and received a N50,000 cash prize presented by Ogun State Director of Sports, Seyi Sonde.
The middle-distance events also produced exciting performances. Abigeal Ogunbowale won the girls’ 800 metres in 2:22.75, ahead of Faridat Oluokun and Soliat Taiwo, while Samuel Adegbuyi claimed the boys’ 800 metres title with a winning time of 2:02.68, finishing ahead of Oluwaseun Idowu and Saheed Alebiosu.
In the field events, Risikat Kehinde of Ijebu-Mushin School captured the girls’ long jump title, while Fathia Otubu won the girls’ shot put with a throw of 9.09 metres, ahead of Endurance Egbamuno, who threw 8.63 metres.
Organiser of the championship and Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun on Youth Development, Hon. Tunde Delu, expressed satisfaction with the quality of talents discovered, describing the competition as a success in achieving its objective of identifying and nurturing grassroots athletes.
Delu disclosed that organisers plan to expand future editions to accommodate more participants and develop the RIYE Athletics Circuit into a structured junior, intermediate and elite competition capable of attracting athletes from across Nigeria and beyond.
Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, commended the initiative, describing it as a valuable platform for identifying athletes who could represent Ogun State at the forthcoming National Youth Games in Delta State before progressing to higher levels of competition.
Olopade reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting grassroots sports development in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that sustained investment in youth competitions remains essential for securing Nigeria’s sporting future.
