The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has praised 10-year-old Junior Aruna for his impressive performance at the World Table Tennis Youth Tournament in Luxembourg, where he clinched both silver and bronze medals.
Junior Aruna, son of Nigerian table tennis star Aruna Quadri, delivered a standout showing by winning a silver medal in the Under-11 category and a bronze medal in the Under-13 category.
Reacting to the achievement, Olopade described the young athlete’s performance as a reflection of his father’s legacy in the sport.
“Having an exciting young talent like Junior Quadri is a big plus to Nigerian sports and the future of table tennis in the country. His performance clearly reflects the strong foundation and discipline he is receiving,” Olopade said.
He also commended the role of Junior’s parents, particularly his mother, Qaniat Quadri, who he noted has been instrumental in coaching and nurturing the young talent.
“I must commend Aruna Quadri and his wife, Qaniat, for the excellent job they are doing in raising and training their children. It is commendable that Qaniat, a former player herself, is personally coaching Junior and his sister to achieve global recognition,” he added.
The NSC boss assured the family of the commission’s support in helping to develop the young athlete’s potential.
“I want to assure the Quadri family that the Sports Commission is proud of their efforts and will continue to provide the necessary support to help these young stars reach their full potential,” Olopade stated.
He further noted that the emergence of talents like Junior Aruna signals a promising future for Nigerian sports.
“With young and talented athletes like Junior Quadri and many others across different sports, the future of Nigerian sports is not only bright but also poised for podium dominance,” he said.
Good job, making Nigeria proud.