By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja.
A 13-year old swimmer from Delta State, Aidan Dumuje Abili has grabbed four Gold Medals in Swimming at the just concluded 2024 National Youth Games (NGE) held in Asaba, Delta State.
The highly talented swimmer had individual three gold medals and one relay gold medal in his second attempt at the national competition.
He made one gold medal in 200m Individual medley, one in 50m butterfly, one in 100m butterfly and capped it up with another one in 4x50m mixed medley relay.
The victory marked his second time competing in the Youth Games,having had an impressive outing in 2023 when he won three individual gold medals and one silver in the relay event.
Speaking with Sports Journalists shortly after medal presentation, Aidan thanked the government for putting the games together for the Nigerian youth to exhibit their sport talents.
He appealed to the President Bola Tinubu led federal government to invest more in sports development for the benefits of the country.
Aidan specifically charged states and local governments in the country to revive and invest in sporting competitions at both the primary and secondary school levels for the young raw talents to be identified and nurtured to stardom for the country.
The talented athlete wants sport managers to develop and organize more sporting competitions that would give young talents international exposure.
He added that young talents like himself that can win Olympic medal for the country in various sports events are abound in almost all the nooks and crannies of the country.
The young athlete also advised parents to encourage their children to participate frequently in sporting competitions adding that without his parents support and encouragement, he would not have recorded any meaningful sport achievements
“Last year, I won three individual gold medals and one silver relay medal. This year, by God’s grace, I’ve won three individual gold medals again, and this time, a gold relay medal.”
“Winning so far means a lot to me. It shows how far I’ve come and that all my hard work, and sleepless nights of planning and strategizing for my races, have paid off.”
He emphasized the significant role his mother played as his role model, providing constant support and encouragement throughout his athletic journey.
“My mother is my role model. She encourages me a lot, helps me through everything, and takes me to training”, he said.
PHOTOS AT THE MEDAL PRESENTATION
