Future of Nigerian Sports is Bright – Olapade

The future of Nigerian athletics is indeed promising, according to Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director-General of the National Sports Commission and Chairman of the ongoing Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) U18/U20 Championship.

Speaking at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Olopade commended the high standard of the competition, especially for youth athletes.

He remarked, “When this current crop of athletes reaches the peak of their careers, they will be able to compete favorably with their counterparts across the globe — and break records in the process. The results from Day One of the competition show clearly that talent abounds in Africa.”

Olopade emphasized that various stakeholders in Nigerian sports are working tirelessly to reinforce the country’s strongholds — not only in athletics but across other sporting disciplines as well.

“As expected, this event has already revealed some exceptional talents,” he continued. “More importantly, I am closely monitoring Nigeria’s performance. I hope we will continue to see improved results, especially in events like the jumps, which used to be our forte in Africa.”

He added that efforts are underway to strengthen Nigeria’s performance in areas where the country has not traditionally excelled, while consolidating its dominance in existing strengths. “The future is bright. With competitions like this, we will continue to discover and nurture young talents who can become stars of tomorrow,” he concluded.

Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Sports Development in Ogun State, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, reiterated the Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s commitment to revamping the sports sector in the state.

He expressed satisfaction with the progress made at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena and other facilities across the state, saying the decision to upgrade them was made in the best interest of Ogun residents.

“Sports can no longer be taken for granted. It has become a vital tool for development and empowerment. That is exactly why the government is investing heavily in it — for the benefit of the good people of Ogun State,” he said.