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The General Director of the National Sports Commission (CSN), His Excellency. Bukola Olopade, praised the organizers of the first RIYE Under-15 Athletics Circuit, describing the championship as a great boost to the development of grassroots sports in Nigeria.
Speaking at the grand finale held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Olopade commended the Tunde Delu Initiative for creating a platform that identified and nurtured young athletic talents across Ogun State.
The NSC chief said the competition reflects Hon. Tunde Delu’s commitment to youth empowerment and sports development, urging more individuals and private organizations to invest in grassroots sports.
“Hon Tunde Delu has shown genuine passion for the development of sports. This is the kind of initiative we need across the country. He has created another avenue for young talents to be discovered, and I must congratulate him for investing in the future of these children through athletics,” Olopade said.
Olopade emphasized that grassroots sports remain the foundation of Nigeria’s future sporting success, adding that programs like the RIYE Under-15 Athletics Circuit will help produce the country’s next generation of champions.
“When we provide opportunities like this to children, we are doing much more than organizing competitions. We are creating hope, building careers, producing future champions, creating wealth and weaning young people away from social vices,” he said.
He called on more corporate organisations, philanthropists and sports enthusiasts to support similar initiatives that can positively impact young athletes across the country.
The RIYE Under-15 Athletics Circuit began with zonal qualifying competitions in the four sporting districts of Ogun State (Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba) before the best athletes advanced to the grand final in Abeokuta.
More than 2,000 athletes of more than 200 schools participated in the championship, making it one of the largest grassroots athletics competitions in the state.
The young athletes competed in several events, including the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, long jump, high jump, shot put, 4x100m mixed relay and 4x400m mixed relay.
