The National Sports Commission (NSC) has urged Nigerian athletes heading to the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, to uphold the country’s image and compete with discipline, patriotism and sportsmanship.
The Director-General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, gave the charge during a send-forth ceremony in Abuja, where the young athletes were officially handed over to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) ahead of their departure.
Olopade described the competition as a historic opportunity, noting that the Dakar Games will be the first Olympic event hosted on African soil. He encouraged the athletes to remain focused, maximise the opportunity and use the experience as a stepping stone towards future international competitions, including the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
He also reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to supporting the athletes’ development in both sports and education.
According to the NSC chief, the commission’s grassroots sports development initiatives, including the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) programme, are designed to identify and nurture young talents capable of representing Nigeria on the global stage.
The athletes were presented in Nigeria’s green-and-white national kits as the NSC formally transferred responsibility for the delegation to the NOC.
Receiving the team, NOC President Engr. Habu Gumel assured the commission that the athletes would receive adequate support during the competition. He also emphasised the importance of clean competition and urged the contingent to uphold the principles of fair play.
The 2026 Youth Olympic Games will take place in Dakar from October 31 to November 13, bringing together thousands of young athletes from around the world to compete across various sporting events.
Nigeria’s participation is expected to provide valuable international exposure for its emerging talents as the country continues efforts to strengthen grassroots sports development and prepare the next generation of elite athletes.
Leave a comment