Nigeria's participation in the 4th Africa Youth Games (AYG) in Angola has been hailed as a massive success, with the discovery of fresh, world-class athletic talent that promises to continue the nation's rich sporting legacy. This assessment comes from Yusuf Alli, the head of the National Sports Commission's (NSC) Elite Athletes Board, who was part of the Nigerian contingent at the event which began on December 10.
Fruitful Harvest of Medals and Future Stars
Speaking to the press, Alli described the trip as fruitful and rewarding, highlighting that Team Nigeria made significant discoveries across multiple sports, with athletics being a particular stronghold. He drew parallels between the team's dominant performance at the CAA Africa Junior Athletics Championships in Abeokuta earlier in the year and their showing in Angola, confirming Nigeria's enduring strength in sprints, relays, jumps, and quarter-mile events.
"From the records our young athletes just set here, our long-held tradition is not at risk of being extinguished," Alli stated confidently. The medal haul in Angola was impressive, with the team securing six gold and five silver medals in athletics alone.
Gold Medalists Echo Legends of the Past
The breakdown of victories paints a bright picture for the future. Among the standout performers was Rosemary Chigozie Nwankwo, who clinched gold in the girls' 100m. She was joined by Tejirih Ugoh (200m girls' gold) and Hafsoh Bisola Majekodunmi (400m girls' gold). Alli did not hesitate to compare these rising stars to Nigerian athletics icons, stating, "These are replicas of records by Mary Onyali and Falilat Ogunkoya-Osheku in their youthful days. These young girls have proven that they are worthy successors."
Other gold medal performances included Timothy Ugherakpoteni in the triple jump, and victories in both the girls' and boys' medley relays. The girls' quartet of Miriam Jegede, Miracle Oluebube, Faith Ezechukwu, and Jacinta Lawrence, alongside the boys' team of Gift Gowon, Akolo Emmanuel, David Udoh, and Tosin Solomon Essan, both topped the podium.
Silver Linings and a Secure Pipeline
The silver medals further underscored Nigeria's areas of strength, coming from events where the nation has historically excelled. The silver medalists were:
- Akolo Emmanuel (100m boys)
- David Udoh (400m boys)
- Godswill Nkemakolam (long jump)
- Gift Gowon (400m hurdles)
- Perfect Faye (200m boys)
Alli emphasized that the primary goal of the AYG is to strengthen the talent conveyor belt and prevent any future shortage of elite athletes. "This is already achieved in athletics," he declared, pointing to the depth of talent on display. He recalled Nigeria's sweeping dominance at the CAA Juniors in Abeokuta, where athletes like Miracle Ezechukwu, Chioma Nweke, and Success Oyibu completely owned the podium in events like the women's 100m and 200m across U-18 and U-20 categories.
The emergence of these new 'Onyalis' and 'Egbunikes' in Angola signals a robust and exciting future for Nigerian athletics, ensuring the country's sprinting and jumping heritage is in capable hands.
