Sports
IJA Sets the Pace at Gateway Games 2024 with Four Medals in Two Days
Invited Junior Athletes ( IJA) sets early marker at Gateway Games 2024 with four medals after Day 2
The Invited Junior Athletes, IJA, have set an early marker at their first ever National Sports Festival in Ogun state after denying the Elite Athletes four medals already, by winning two Gold, one silver and one bronze medal within the first two days of the Games.
Amarachi Chijioke and Scholastical Tekumbur made history winning the two gold, one silver and one bronze in the 45kg women category.
Chijioke claimed two gold medals in clean and jerk with the best lift of 82kg while Tekumbur, also claimed the bronze in clean and jerk.
The National Sports Commission, NSC, has continued to receive plenty of accolades for the IJA initiative introduced to the Festival as the 38th State and the early performance of the junior athletes within the first two days of the Games is already justifying the essence of the concept.
The NSC introduced the Invited junior Athletes concept so that Nigeria can start having a unique and scientific transition system between the upcoming junior athletes and the elite athletes.
Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, maintained that the IJA concept was designed to tie grassroots to elite Sports by bridging the transition gap that has existed in the past.
“ Ninety percent of the kids representing IJA are champions from the youth games and the ones that have upset the staquo by winning these medals have automatically been elevated to elite status and qualify for elite grants that will prepare them for the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Championships next year”.
” Being the first time we are having this concept we never expected them to win medals but just to get exposure by competing with the elite athletes but we can see with the four medals already won that the junior athletes we brought for this Games are really fancying their chances with the big boys”.
Thirty eight junior athletes across different sports are representing the Invited junior Athletes , IJA, at the Gateway Games.
Sports
From Streets to Stardom: Unique Futbol Academy Scouting Program Inspires Ibadan’s Young Footballers
Ibadan is buzzing with excitement as the Unique Football Academy Scouting Program kicks off, bringing together top European football clubs and talented young Nigerian players.
The four-day program, which commenced on Monday, features a delegation of four directors from prominent European teams, including two from Kosovo and one from India, led by renowned football agent Diego Martins from Portugal.
The scouting program aims to identify and select outstanding players who will be given opportunities to showcase their skills in Europe.
Successful players will be offered the chance to take their careers to the next level, with the organizers assuring them of opportunities abroad.
According to the Director of the program and founder of Unique Football Academy, Mr. Jelil Oladimeji, this is not the first time the academy has organized such an event.
“This is the 4th edition, and we are proud of the progress and impact we have made so far in terms of exposing our raw talent to the European market,” he said.
The program has already proven successful, with several players from previous editions going on to excel in European leagues. Some notable examples include Haruna Saleh with PAOK in Greece and Praisegod Emersons in Slovakia.
As the program continues, clubs are gearing up to exhibit their talents, and the future looks bright for Nigeria’s young football stars.
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