Invited Junior Athletes make impressive debut with four medals at Gateway Games 2024

The Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) have made a stunning entry into the 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State, bagging four medals — two gold, one silver, and one bronze — within the first two days of the competition.

Competing in their first-ever National Sports Festival, the junior athletes outclassed elite contenders in the 45kg women's weightlifting category. Amarachi Chijioke led the charge with two gold medals in the clean and jerk, lifting an impressive 82kg. Scholastical Tekumbur followed with a silver and a bronze, also in the clean and jerk.

The early success of Team IJA has drawn widespread commendation from the National Sports Commission (NSC), which introduced the IJA initiative as the Festival's symbolic 38th contingent. The program was designed to establish a structured transition from grassroots to elite levels in Nigerian sports.

Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, expressed his excitement at the unexpected medal haul.

"Ninety percent of the athletes representing IJA are champions from the National Youth Games. Those who have now won medals have automatically earned elite status and are eligible for elite grants that will support their preparation for upcoming Olympic and Commonwealth events."

He added: “This concept was meant to give these junior athletes exposure. We never anticipated medals, but with four already secured, it’s clear they are ready to challenge the big names.”

Thirty-eight athletes across various sports are representing the IJA at the ongoing Games in Abeokuta, signaling a promising future for Nigeria’s sporting development.