Nigeria made a significant impact at the 17th International School Sports Federation (ISF) Gymnasiade, held at Bahrain National Stadium from October 23 to 31.
The event featured 5,000 athletes from around 70 countries.
Led by the President of the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Olabisi Joseph, the Nigerian contingent competed in athletics and 3×3 basketball, with athletes from Bayelsa and FCT, Abuja.
According to a statement by NSSF Public Relations Officer Sagiru Sani Dandango, Team Nigeria’s performance was impressive, finishing 29th overall and ranking as the third-best African team, behind Morocco (10th ) and Algeria (12th ).
Bayelsa’s Tejire Godwin secured Nigeria’s first medal, winning gold in the boys’ 100m with a time of 10.36 seconds on October 26, ahead of competitors from Hungary and Bahrain. On October 29, Oluebube Miracle Ezechukwu claimed silver in the girls’ 200m final, clocking 23.80 seconds, just behind Aminat Kamarudeen of the UAE, who took gold with 23.65 seconds.
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Nigeria’s third medal came in the girls’ basketball final, where Bayelsa’s team narrowly lost to Slovenia, 14-16, earning a silver medal and bringing Nigeria’s total medal count to three.
Dandango further praised the athletes for their outstanding performances and acknowledged the support from Bayelsa and FCT Abuja.
The ISF Gymnasiade, held biennially, has been organized since 1990, with the first edition in Belgium and the most recent in France in 2022. Founded in 1972, the ISF is an international non-profit sports organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 1995. It oversees national school sports organizations worldwide, organizing educational events for youth aged 6 to 18. The ISF comprises 132 members globally and hosts over 10 events annually, covering more than 30 sports.
The ISF aims to create a world where sports and education empower all students and youth, promoting healthy lifestyles for current and future generations.