The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Thursday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola was presented with a cheque of ₦3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the 2024 National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400 metres and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Hon Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed there was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
The NSC further noted that the decision to present the awards at athletes’ schools and training grounds was deliberate. According to the Commission, the approach is aimed at promoting transparency, tackling age cheating, and demonstrating clearly how talents are being discovered and nurtured directly from the school system.
Reacting to the honour, Majekodunmi expressed deep appreciation to the National Sports Commission, assuring that she remains determined to achieve even greater feats for Nigeria.
She stated that the reward would further motivate her as she sets her sights on a podium finish at the forthcoming Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
The appreciation tour had earlier commenced on Wednesday with a visit to Grange School, Lagos, where teenage swimmers Aidan Dumuije-Abili and Tofunmi Ibidapo were also rewarded for their outstanding performances.
The tour will continue in the coming days, with the Chairman, Malam Shehu Dikko and the DG also scheduled to visit Delta State, Akwa Ibom State, and Abuja as the Commission sustains its drive to celebrate and invest in Nigeria’s emerging sporting talents.
