By Amaechi Agbo
The Director General of the National Sports commission, NSC, Hon Bukola Olopade says the youth of Ogun state will eternally be grateful to Governor Dapo for reviving sports in the state by making Abeokuta an international sports hub.
The DG stated this on Day one of the CAA African U28/U2O Athletics championship holding in the heart of Abeokuta at the sparkling newly refurbished MKO Sports Arena.
“ Look at how Governor Dapo Abiodun has turned around the landscape of Sports de-velopment in Ogun state by investing in sports infrastructure across board and today Ogun state is comfortably hosting the entire Africa in an international event
“Ogun state is now a sporting hub not only of a national level but international standard, capable of attracting the very best of international stars.
“This is what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was talking about when he gave us the mandate at the National Sports Commission not to focus only on sports consumption which is attending competitions outside the country but also on Sports production which is hosting more international competitions here in Nigeria that will benefit our young athletes”.
“This Championship is coming barely two months after Ogun state hosted unarguably one of the best ever organised National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway games 2024 and the Governor is even determined to do more to leave an unmatched sporting legacy for the youth of the state. Myself and the Chairman of the Sports commission, Mallam Shehu Dikkk cannot thank the Governor enough”.
Meanwhile after months of preparation and planning, action finally began on Wednes-day inside the main bowl of the stadium as the opening day witnessed exciting actions and fireworks from some of Africa’s future stars.
Host Nigeria and defending champions South Africa stole the show on the opening day with some eye catching performances especially in the men and women 100m heat and triple jump final.
Nigeria’s Praise Ikweki won bronze medal in High Jump event being the first medal for the country at the Championships.
Ikwesi, who paired with Melvin Ododo, started from 1.80m, achieving a perfect record until a near missed at 2.03m before he won his third attempt to scale to the next round.
He missed his three attempts at 2.06m after hitting the pole, paving the way for South Africa’s Mateo Le Roux, who won the gold.
In the U-18 Heat One 100m event race, South Africa’s Mukona Manavhela finished in a time of 11.38 while Nigeria’s Igbigbidje James Clifford also qualified to the semi final in a time of 11.44.
In the female category, Nigeria’s Mariam Jegede won the first heat of the U18 Girls 100m clocking a time of 12.13s while Congo’s Boukama Gladys finished second in 12.47s and Ghana’s Darkoah Kwateng ran 12.64s to settle for third.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
