Shaibu Urges Team Nigeria To Win Clean At Dakar Youth Olympics

National Institute for Sports (NIS) Director-General Philip Shaibu has charged Team Nigeria athletes to pursue medals at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games with discipline, integrity and respect for fair play, warning them against cheating or any conduct that could tarnish the country’s image.

Shaibu urged the young athletes to be courteous, bold and disciplined as they prepare to represent Nigeria at the international competition in Senegal.

The NIS boss described the Games as an opportunity for Nigerian youths to showcase their talents and demonstrate national pride on the global stage, stressing that success must be achieved within the rules.

He said the country’s reputation must remain a priority throughout the competition, urging the athletes to serve as worthy ambassadors both on and off the field.

Shaibu, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo State, added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was working to rebuild Nigeria’s image for the present and future, warning that any conduct capable of undermining those efforts at an international event would be unacceptable.

The NIS chief expressed confidence in the athletes’ ability to make the nation proud, while reaffirming the institute’s commitment to developing sporting talent.

He encouraged the contingent to aim for gold while upholding the values of integrity, discipline and sportsmanship associated with the Olympic movement.

Team Nigeria comprises 17 athletes who will compete in five sports at the Games: athletics, table tennis, swimming, beach volleyball and cycling. Six coaches will accompany the contingent to Dakar.