Kuku, Sodiq glow as RIYE U-15 Athletics Championship uncovers Ogun and Nigeria's next generation of stars

...It's a valuable platform for identifying athletes – NSC DG Olopade 

By Maxwell Kumoye

 

 

The inaugural RIYE Under-15 Athletics Championship lived up to its promise of discovering the next generation of sporting talents, with a host of young athletes delivering outstanding performances at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Kuto, Abeokuta, South West, Nigeria.

Among the standout performers were 14-year-old Olufunmilayo Kuku of Muslim Girls High School, Ijebu-Ode, and 13-year-old Sodiq Olaniyi of Luba Comprehensive High School, Ijebu-Ode, who dominated the track events to emerge as the stars of the one-day championship.

Kuku was the undisputed princess of the girls' competition, producing a remarkable triple-gold performance by winning the 100 metres, 200 metres and the 100 metres relay. 

She also recorded a new personal best in the sprint finals, further establishing herself as one of Nigeria and Ogun State's most promising young athletes.

Her exceptional exploits earned her a total prize purse of N150,000, while second and third-place finishers in her events received N30,000 and N20,000 respectively.

Speaking after her victories, an excited Kuku credited her coaches for helping her reach the milestone, adding that the competition had already opened doors as talent scouts and sports stakeholders took notice of her performances.

On the boys' side, Olaniyi matched the excitement with an equally impressive display, winning gold medals in both the 400 metres and the 400 metres relay.

The 13-year-old stormed to victory in the individual 400 metres in 55.34 seconds, edging Haruna Abdul-Basit, who finished in 55.63 seconds, while Adisa Lasisi claimed bronze in 56.65 seconds.

Despite his commanding performance, Olaniyi admitted he was surprised by the outcome, attributing his success to the quality preparation and technical guidance provided by his coach. His achievements earned him N100,000 in prize money.

Another athlete who caught the eye was 14-year-old Ibrahim Abdul-Ahmed of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education Secondary School, Ijebu-Ode, who sprinted to victory in the boys' 100 metres. 

His triumph was rewarded with a N50,000 cash prize presented by the Ogun State Director of Sports, Seyi Sonde.

The championship also showcased exciting contests in the middle-distance races.

Abigeal Ogunbowale claimed the girls' 800 metres title after crossing the finish line in 2:22.75, comfortably ahead of Faridat Oluokun, who clocked 2:27.94, while Soliat Taiwo settled for third in 2:29.45.

In the boys' 800 metres, Samuel Adegbuyi emerged victorious with a winning time of 2:02.68 ahead of Oluwaseun Idowu and Saheed Alebiosu.

The field events equally produced impressive performances as Risikat Kehinde of Ijebu-Mushin School captured the girls' long jump title. 

Great Edevede of Simawa High School and Adeola Fasasi of Batoro High School completed the podium in second and third places respectively.

In the girls' shot put, Fathia Otubu delivered the best throw of the competition with a distance of 9.09 metres to secure gold ahead of Endurance Egbamuno, who claimed silver with 8.63 metres.

Organiser and Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Youth Development, Honourable Tunde Delu, expressed satisfaction with the quality of talents discovered across the four sports divisions of Remo, Ijebu, Egba and Yewa (RIYE).

Delu said the Championship had fulfilled its objective of identifying and nurturing grassroots talents, while revealing plans to expand the competition in future editions.

"From next year, we are looking forward to discovering more talents and accommodating more athletes to express themselves because it is good for Ogun State and the country," he said.

He added that several participants had already attracted the attention of coaches and talent scouts, disclosing that organisers intend to develop the RIYE Athletics Circuit into a structured junior, intermediate and elite competition capable of attracting athletes from across Nigeria and beyond.

Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, also praised the initiative, describing it as a valuable platform for identifying athletes who could represent Ogun State at the forthcoming National Youth Games in Delta State and progress to higher levels of competition.

Olopade reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to supporting grassroots sports programmes that align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that sustained investment in youth competitions remains critical to securing Nigeria's sporting future.