Team Nigeria’s young athletes have been urged to compete with honour, national pride and patriotic spirit after the National Sports Commission (NSC) officially bid farewell to the country’s delegation for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
Send-off in Abuja
- At the farewell event in Abuja on Tuesday, NSC Director General Bukola Olopade told the athletes to seize the opportunity provided by the Games, which will be the first Youth Olympic Games staged on African soil.
- He encouraged the delegation to set ambitious targets as they begin building towards the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
- Olopade also told the athletes that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to supporting their sporting progress as well as their educational development.
“The Youth Olympics in Dakar carries enormous historical importance, and you are making history by taking part in the first Olympic event to be hosted in Africa,” Olopade said. “That is why I strongly believe these Games can be the start of something great for every one of you.
“You were chosen to represent Nigeria in your different events because you are among the key group of future stars. I want each of you to remain committed, disciplined and passionate about your sporting journey.”
Grassroots pathway and Dakar departure
Olopade said the Commission has made a major commitment to an ambitious and targeted grassroots development strategy, including initiatives such as the Invited Junior Athletes, or IJA, programme.
He added that the Dakar competition will offer further international exposure to several Nigerian prospects who have emerged through the IJA scheme.
- The athletes were unveiled in Nigeria’s green-and-white national apparel during the ceremony.
- The NSC then formally transferred the contingent to the Nigeria Olympic Committee.
- Team Nigeria is scheduled to leave for Dakar on Thursday.
Olympic Committee assurance
Nigeria Olympic Committee President Habu Gumel said both the International Olympic Committee and the NOC would ensure the athletes are properly cared for throughout their stay in Dakar.
Gumel also assured the NSC that Nigeria’s athletes would take part fairly and would return home with clean records.
More than 2,700 young competitors from across the world are expected to participate in the Games, scheduled to take place in Dakar from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13.
