The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has thrown more lights on the ongoing Young Athletes Appreciation Initiative, which is seen as a groundbreaking effort in Nigerian sports history.

In his message to The Guardian on Friday, Olopade said: “It is part of my responsibility to educate the public about the ongoing Young Athletes Appreciation Initiative. We should acknowledge the positive impact of this gesture, innovation, and initiative, which has motivated many athletes in just two weeks.

“We have already honoured young athletes like Tofunmi Ibidapo and Aiden Dumuije Abili at Grange School in Lagos with N3 million each, and Majekodunmi Bisola in Abeokuta with N3 million.

“The funds were paid directly to the schools or parents, not the athletes themselves. For instance, the money for Tofunmi and Aiden went to Grange School to cover their fees, while Majekodunmi’s funds went to her mother’s account for her upkeep and preparation for future events like the Africa Youth Games in Dakar,” he stated.

Olopade further stated that: “This approach is standard practice internationally. The athletes will receive symbolic checks, but the funds go directly to their schools or parents. For government schools athletes, we paid the parents directly, considering their fees are lower.

“I urge journalists to focus on sharing this positive initiative rather than criticising it. Kudos must be accorded to the Chairman National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko and myself (Bukola Olopade) for the passion and efforts in driving this appreciation tour. Let is work together to elevate Nigerian sports.

“The honoured athletes, including Majekodunmi, Aiden, Tofunmi, David Udoh, and Gowon, are set to represent Nigeria in the African Youth Olympics in Dakar and potentially the Commonwealth Games in Scotland,” Olopade stated.

The (NSC) Appreciation Tour made a significant stop in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday and one of the highlights of the visit was the recognition of teenage sprint sensation Jacinta Lawrence Andrew, an SS2 student of Community Secondary School, Ibiaku Itam in Itu Local Government Area. She has rapidly emerged as one of Nigeria’s most promising young athletes.

Jacinta made the country proud at the maiden African School Games in Algeria where she won a silver medal in the girls’ 400 meters, before going on to claim gold in the same event at the African Youth Games in Angola.

Recently, she was also part of the elite Nigerian team that qualified the country for the World Athletics Relays, a remarkable feat for a student still in secondary school.