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The RIYE U-15 athletics circuit is the future of Nigerian sports, the country’s top sports administrator has declared, praising the event for unearthing fresh talent in Ogun State.
The Gist
- NSC boss Olopade praises RIYE U-15 athletics circuit
- Calls grassroots sport path to champions
- Event unearths fresh talent in Ogun
Bukola Olopade, Director-General of the National Sports Commission, spoke at the grand finale held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.
He described the maiden competition as a shining example of how grassroots sport can discover and develop the nation’s next generation of champions.
Why the RIYE U-15 athletics circuit stood out
Olopade said the platform proved what is possible when organisers invest in young people at the community level.
He commended the Tunde Delu Initiative for creating the circuit and giving children across the state a real stage to compete and be noticed.
Grassroots sport, he stressed, remains the bedrock of sustained success. Without it, he warned, the talent pipeline that feeds national teams runs dry.
Big numbers, big ambition
The scale of the event underlined its impact. More than 2,000 athletes representing over 200 schools across Ogun State took part.
That turnout, organisers said, reflects growing enthusiasm for athletics at the grassroots, especially among teenagers eager for a pathway into the sport.
They have committed to making the circuit an annual fixture, with the long-term goal of nurturing athletes who can represent Ogun State and Nigeria.
Catching talent early
Athletics rewards early identification. Speed, coordination and stamina often show up well before the teenage years are over.
A structured under-15 circuit gives coaches a chance to spot raw ability and guide it before bad habits set in or talent slips away.
Organisers hope the data and contacts from this edition will help track promising athletes as they grow.
A call for more investment
Olopade used the finale to urge more well-meaning Nigerians to back similar programmes that can transform young lives.
He argued that private initiatives and government must work together to widen the base of competitive sport across the country.
The message fits a broader push to rebuild Nigeria’s athletics structures and produce talent capable of competing on the continental and global stage.
Why it matters for Nigeria
Nigeria has a long history of track success but has often struggled to keep its development structures running consistently.
Events like the RIYE U-15 athletics circuit offer a model: local organisation, school participation and a clear route from the community to the national stage.
If sustained, organisers believe the circuit could help shape the medal hopes of the future.
Building on Ogun’s sporting history
Ogun State has produced notable Nigerian athletes over the years, and organisers want the circuit to add to that record.
By focusing on under-15s, they hope to reach children before other distractions pull them away from sport.
The plan is to track this year’s standouts and offer them coaching, competition and, eventually, a route to state and national teams.
Officials argue that consistency is the missing piece. One-off events fade, but an annual circuit can build reputation and trust.
If schools, parents and sponsors stay involved, the model could spread to other states.
Source: National Sports Commission
