Chukwuebuka Orji delivered a landmark moment for Enugu State on Tuesday, securing their first gold medal at the ongoing 2024 Gateway Games in Abeokuta.
Orji stormed to victory in the men’s 400 metres para-athletics event at the MKO Abiola Stadium, putting past disappointments behind him and lifting the spirits of Team Enugu in emphatic fashion.
His triumph comes just a day after controversy marred the campaign of fellow Enugu para-athlete Emmanuel Ugonna, who was controversially stripped of a gold medal in the discus throw event due to what officials described as a “raza technicality.”
Despite that disappointment, Orji wasn’t to be denied. Earlier in the Games, he also secured a silver medal in the F42 100 metres para-athletics final — a tightly contested race decided by a photo finish.
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The 400m gold makes Orji the first Enugu athlete to benefit from a new instant cash reward scheme introduced by the state’s Ministry of Youth and Sports. Speaking to Athletic NG prior to the festival, the Director of Organising, Mr Boniface Onovo, revealed:
“This time around, we’ve introduced the Honourable Commissioner’s instant bonus: ₦100,000 per gold medal, paid immediately.”
The success is timely as Enugu ramps up preparations to host the 2026 National Sports Festival — the first ever to be staged in the Southeast region since the festival began in 1973.
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Enugu’s medal haul at the Gateway Games stands at 1 Gold, 8 silver and 5 bronze across para-athletics, powerlifting, boxing and judo events.
Medal Breakdown for Enugu State:
- Chukwuebuka Orji – Gold (400m para-athletics), Silver (100m para-athletics)
- Emmanuel Ugonna – 3 Silvers (Javelin, Discus, Shot Put – para-athletics)
- Destiny Agbo – 2 Silvers (Javelin, Shot Put), 1 Bronze (Discus – para-athletics)
- Goodness Okonkwo – Silver (Javelin – para-athletics, 52kg class)
- Lucy Ejike – Silver (Powerlifting)
- Daniel Mbamalu – Bronze (Discus – para-athletics)
- Shedrack Ozoemenam – Bronze (Boxing)
- Linda Nwadiogo Okeke – Bronze (Judo)
- Kenechukwu Ezeofor – Bronze (Javelin – men)
Team Enugu will be looking to add to their tally in wrestling and build momentum ahead of their 2026 hosting duties.
