The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has urged Nigerian athletes to demonstrate discipline, courage, and sportsmanship as they compete for medals at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. Shaibu emphasized the importance of pursuing victory through hard work and fair play, warning against cheating or any conduct capable of damaging Nigeria's image on the international stage.
The 2026 Youth Olympic Games, also known as Dakar 2026, will take place from October 31 to November 13 in Senegal, marking the first time an Olympic sporting event is being hosted on African soil. The historic edition will bring together approximately 2,700 young athletes from around the world for a programme featuring 25 competition sports and 10 additional engagement sports. The Games will feature 153 medal events, with competitions and activities spread across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
Team Nigeria comprises 17 athletes who are expected to compete in five sports at the Dakar Games: athletics, table tennis, swimming, beach volleyball, and cycling. The contingent will be accompanied by six coaches who will provide technical guidance and support as the athletes compete against some of the world's promising young talents. Shaibu expressed confidence in the team's ability to make the country proud, urging the athletes to remain focused, give their best, and aim for gold while respecting the rules of their respective sports.
Shaibu stressed that while winning medals remains an important objective, the manner in which athletes achieve success is equally significant. According to him, Nigerian athletes must uphold integrity and discipline throughout the competition, ensuring that their performances reflect positively on the country. He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was working to rebuild Nigeria's image for present and future generations, stressing that any conduct capable of undermining those efforts at an international event would be unacceptable.
The participation of young Nigerian athletes at the Games offers an opportunity to assess their abilities against international opposition and gain experience that could support their progression to senior national teams. The Youth Olympic Games have provided an international stage for emerging athletes to test themselves against their peers, gain exposure, and develop the experience required for higher levels of competition. Several athletes who participated in previous editions later became prominent figures in senior international sports.
Shaibu's emphasis on integrity also places responsibility on the athletes to understand that sporting success must be achieved within the rules and spirit of competition. He urged them to remain courteous, bold, and disciplined while respecting opponents, officials, and the rules governing their events. His warning against cheating reflects the importance of fair competition in protecting the credibility of sporting results and the reputation of both athletes and their country.
The NIS chief reiterated the Institute's commitment to developing athletes who can compete at the highest level while upholding the values of integrity and sportsmanship. With the Games set to make history in Africa, Nigeria's young competitors will have an opportunity to contribute to the occasion through their performances and conduct, while laying the groundwork for their future sporting careers.
Key points
- The 2026 Youth Olympic Games will feature 2,700 young athletes from around the world competing in 25 sports and 10 additional engagement sports.
- Team Nigeria comprises 17 athletes competing in five sports: athletics, table tennis, swimming, beach volleyball, and cycling.
- NIS DG Shaibu emphasizes the importance of discipline, integrity, and sportsmanship for Nigerian athletes at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
