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The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Thursday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola was presented with a check of ₦3 million.
The presentation is part of the NSC’s initiative to recognize and reward outstanding junior athletes who have excelled in 2025 and have significantly contributed to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive set of performances on the track. At the 2024 National Sports Festival, he won gold in the 400 meters and the 4×400 meters relay. He replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championships in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Honorable Olopade explained that the Commission found it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had previously received grants worth thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed that there was also a need to appreciate these budding young talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He revealed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talent, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
The NSC also stressed that the decision to present the awards at athletes’ schools and training grounds was a deliberate one. According to the Commission, the approach aims to promote transparency, combat age cheating and clearly demonstrate how talents are discovered and nurtured directly by the school system.
Reacting to the honour, Majekodunmi expressed deep appreciation to the National Sports Commission, assuring that it remains determined to achieve even greater feats for Nigeria.
She said the reward would motivate her further as she aims for the podium at the next Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
The appreciation tour had started on Wednesday with a visit to Grange School, Lagos, where teenage swimmers Aidan Dumuije-Abili and Tofunmi Ibidapo were also recognized for their outstanding performances.
The tour will continue in the coming days, with the President, Malam Shehu Dikko and the DG also visiting Delta, Akwa Ibom and Abuja states as the Commission continues its commitment to celebrate and invest in Nigeria’s emerging sporting talents.
