Pius Ayinor
The Nigerian contingent to the Youth Olympic Games has been asked to be good ambassadors for the country and compete with pride, dignity, and patriotism at the Games in Dakar, Senegal.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, spoke with the young athletes during their send-off ceremony held on Tuesday in Abuja. The
The DG called on the athletes to make the best use of the opportunity the country has given to them to represent Nigeria at the first-ever Youth Olympic Games to be held in Africa and motivate them to dream big ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
He assured them of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to their growth and development both in sports and their education.
“The Youth Olympics in Dakar is very historic and you all are making history as a part of the first Olympic Games to be held in Africa. This is why I am very confident that these Games will mark the beginning of greatness for all of you.
“We have selected you all to represent the country in your various sports because you represent the core crop of our future stars, and i want you all to stay focused, disciplined and passionate about your careers”.
The DG spoke on an aggressive and strategic grassroots drive which has produced programmes like IJA – the invited Junior Athletes and the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar will further give exposure to some of the country’s exciting young athletes from the IJA Programme.
The Nigerian athletes were presented in their national kits, as the NSC officially handed them over to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC as they get set to depart the country for Dakar on Thursday.
While receiving the athletes, the President of the NOC, Engr Habu Gumel, assured the Commission that the athletes will be well taken care of in Dakar by the International Olympic Committee and the NOC, and told the athletes that they would all compete clean and return to the country clean after the Games.
The Youth Olympics in Senegal is expected to welcome over 2700 young athletes from all over the world, competing for honors and national pride from October 31 to November 13 in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal.
