The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has praised the organisers of the maiden RIYE Under-15 Athletics Circuit, describing the championship as a major boost for grassroots sports development 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 athletics talents across Ogun State.
The NSC boss said the competition reflects Hon. Tunde Delu’s commitment to youth empowerment and sports development, urging more private individuals and organisations to invest in grassroots sports.
“Hon. Tunde Delu has shown genuine passion for sports development. This is the kind of initiative we need across the country. He has created another pathway for young talents to be discovered, and I must commend him for investing in the future of these children through athletics,” Olopade said.
Olopade stressed that grassroots sports remain the foundation of Nigeria’s future sporting success, adding that programmes like the RIYE Under-15 Athletics Circuit will help produce the country’s next generation of champions.
“When we provide opportunities like this for children, we are doing much more than organising competitions. We are creating hope, building careers, producing future champions, creating wealth, and taking 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 across Ogun State’s four sporting districts—Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba—before the best athletes advanced to the grand finale in Abeokuta.
More than 2,000 athletes from over 200 schools participated in the championship, making it one of the largest grassroots athletics competitions in the state.
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.