SYDNEY 2000 Olympic Games gold medalist, Fidelis Gadzama, has said that his participation in the third edition of the African U-20 Athletics Championships held in Ibadan, Oyo State in 1997, helped to shape his career.

Gadzama, the immediate past first vice president of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), and chairman of the Security sub-committee for the fast approaching CAA U-18/U-20 Championships, tagged Abeokuta 2025, stated that hosting the championships in Nigeria, especially in Abeokuta, in Og0un State, would spur more youths to embrace athletics.

At Ibadan ’97 edition of the African U-20 Championships, Gadzama won gold medal in the 400m, which helped the country to top the medals table.
Speaking with the CAA 2025 U-18/U-20 Media Committee, Gadzama said that the championships will also showcase the history and culture of Abeokuta and Ogun State in particular and Nigeria at large, as future stars of the continent converge on the ancient city from July 16 to 20, 2025.

He affirmed that the competition exposed him to the world of track and field from where he was able to achieve a lot in his career with the height of it being an Olympian.

“There are great benefits from this competition,” he said. “And if you can remember, my athletics career started from U-20 when I won a gold medal for Nigeria in the African Juniors and at the end of the day, I went to other competitions like World Athletics Championships, African Games, and today I am an Olympian.”

“So, the CAA 2025 U-18/U-20 provides a crucial beginning for young athletes to experience competitions at higher levels… it will prepare them to compete against others. It gives them the same pathway…”