GATEWAY GAMES: NSC DG Hails Team Ija as Swimming Prospect Abili Promises Olympics Podium Performance
Oru Leonard
National Sports Commission Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade is pleased with the performance of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) at the 22nd National Sports Festival Ogun 2024 so far.
A visibly excited Hon. Olopade spoke after the medal presentation to IJA swimmer Aidan Dumuje Abili at the venue of the swimming event. Abili has won three medals so far (two silver and one bronze).
His words, “It gladdens my heart to see the immediate impact of this new IJA project we initiated at the NSC. We decided to give these kids an opportunity to compete at the elite level and so far they are proving that age is only numbers. With the performances we are seeing in this Festival, one can only wonder what they will turn in in the years ahead with even more exposure. They have shown zero fears at this Games. Quite commendable.”
Abili is thankful to the NSC for the opportunity afforded the junior athletes to feature at the National Sports Festival.
“I have not participated at this level before. On behalf of the other IJA athletes, I thank the NSC for this opportunity. I have learnt quite a lot here. This exposure will surely help me in my career”, he said.
He promised to take advantage of the Gateway Games participation to put Nigeria on the podium in future global events.
“I have my eyes now on the Youth Olympics. After that I will target the Olympics in the years ahead. I will do my best to make sure I put Nigeria on the podium in appreciation of this opportunity. We have to make this IJA experience count”, he added.
Abili, a triple gold medalist at the 2024 National Youth Games, won two silver medals in the 50m backstroke and 100m backstroke and bronze in the 200m backstroke.
