The 22nd National Sports Festival, held in Ogun State, witnessed an unexpected turn of events as two invited junior athletes, Amarachi Chijioke and Scholastical Tekumbur, surpassed expectations in the women’s 45kg weightlifting category. Competing against seasoned athletes, these young prodigies showcased remarkable strength and technique, securing a combined haul of two gold, one silver, and one bronze medal. This impressive feat underscores the potential of Nigeria’s emerging athletic talent and the effectiveness of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) program, designed to nurture and expose young athletes to high-level competition.
The weightlifting competition, which unfolded at the NYSC Orientation camp in Sagamu, marked the commencement of several sporting events at the festival. Other disciplines, including kung fu, deaf badminton, and badminton, also got underway in Ikenne and Abeokuta respectively. Chijioke’s exceptional performance saw her clinch two gold medals, one in the clean and jerk with a lift of 82kg and another for her overall total of 146kg. Tekumbur, the other IJA representative, secured a bronze medal in the clean and jerk category with a lift of 78kg, following closely behind Rivers State’s Christina Allorima, who lifted 81kg for silver.
The IJA initiative, often referred to as the “38th state,” comprises over 100 teenage athletes selected nationwide to compete against established athletes in nine different sports. This program, established by the National Sports Commission (NSC), aims to provide a unique platform for these young talents to hone their skills, gain experience competing against established athletes, and accelerate their development within a highly competitive setting. The exposure and experience gained at the National Sports Festival provide invaluable opportunities for these budding athletes to gauge their progress and identify areas for improvement.
The rationale behind the IJA program, as explained by the Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, is to identify and nurture promising young athletes who have demonstrated their potential at the Youth Games. By providing them with opportunities to compete against elite athletes, the NSC aims to facilitate their transition into the elite ranks and prepare them for future successes on the national and international stage. This strategic approach not only identifies and cultivates talent but also creates a pathway for continuous growth and development within Nigerian sports.
The IJA athletes participating in the National Sports Festival are competing across a diverse range of sports, including athletics, badminton, football, para-athletics, swimming, table tennis, tennis, wrestling, and weightlifting. This multi-sport representation reflects the NSC’s commitment to developing talent across various disciplines and providing young athletes with diverse avenues to showcase their skills. The experience gained across these sports fosters well-rounded athleticism and contributes to the overall growth and development of the Nigerian sporting ecosystem.
While the IJA athletes stole the spotlight in the 45kg weightlifting category, established athletes like Ronke Olarinoye of Lagos State also made their mark. Olarinoye secured a gold medal in the women’s snatch, lifting 65kg, narrowly edging out Chijioke, who lifted 64kg. Allorima of Rivers State claimed the bronze in this category with a lift of 61kg. Olarinoye’s victory, achieved at 12:57 pm, is potentially the first medal awarded at the 2024 National Sports Festival, pending official confirmation from the Main Organising Committee. The early success of established athletes like Olarinoye sets a high bar for the competition and provides inspiration for both junior and senior athletes alike. The performances of both established and emerging athletes contribute to the excitement and dynamism of the National Sports Festival.
