Abeokuta: The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mr. Bukola Olopade, has promised to support any outstanding young Nigerian talent that emerges at the CAA U18/U20 African Athletics Championships with the best athletes' welfare. Olopade made this commitment on Wednesday at the ongoing championship at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the commission is determined to support emerging young talents who are expected to dominate the track in the future. Olopade emphasized that supporting young Nigerian athletes would prepare them to surpass established athletes like Favour Ofili, who is currently representing Turkey.
"We want a situation where all the talents discovered by Nigeria in particular and Africa in general would become world beaters," he stated. Olopade also expressed his personal determination to support any young talent that emerges from Nigeria, promising them optimal athletes' welfare to prepare them to outperform established competitors.
Olopade expressed optimism about the emergence of numerous significant talents from Nigeria, adding that he anticipates strong performances from Nigerian athletes that would surpass global standards. He highlighted the importance of aligning young talents with global expectations, mentioning a promising young long jumper as an example of potential success toward Project 2028.
Meanwhile, in the finals of the U-18 Triple Jump event, Burkina Faso secured the top podium position with a leap of 12.79m, Morocco followed closely with a jump of 12.39m, and Tunisia completed the podium with a 12.16m jump. Additionally, Mateo Le Roux from South Africa claimed his first gold medal in the U-18 High Jump event. The Championships, which commenced today, are set to conclude on July 20.