Invited Junior Athletes Shine Bright at National Sports Festival in Ogun
Two rising stars from the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) programme stole the spotlight at the 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State, outperforming seasoned competitors in the women’s 45kg weightlifting event.
On Sunday, May 18, 2025, Amarachi Chijioke and Scholastical Tekumbur impressed the crowd at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Sagamu, where weightlifting kicked off alongside events like kung fu, deaf badminton, and badminton in Ikenne and Abeokuta.
Chijioke claimed two gold medals, dominating the clean and jerk with an impressive lift of 82kg and achieving a total haul of 146kg. Her strength and focus showed she’s not just a future champion — she’s already competing at the highest level.
Tekumbur also made her mark, winning bronze in the clean and jerk with a 78kg lift, narrowly behind Rivers State’s Christina Allorima, who took silver with 81kg.
Their achievements highlight the success of the IJA initiative, which brings promising young athletes into top-level competition, giving them early exposure and experience against Nigeria’s best.
SportsRations’ Nsikakabasi Akpan who is covering the Festival has praise for the NSC. Akpan said “The National Sports Commission deserves high praise for introducing the Invited Junior Athletes programme. What we witnessed from Amarachi Chijioke and Scholastical Tekumbur is a clear sign that Nigeria’s sporting future is bright. This initiative not only gives young talents a platform but also ensures the continuity of excellence in Nigerian sports. If nurtured properly, it will surely lead to a glorious future for our country on the global stage.”
