‎By Hosea Parah

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‎Team Nigeria has departed for Dakar, Senegal, ahead of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, marking another step in the country’s preparations for the international youth sporting event.

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‎The Nigerian contingent departed through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, carrying the country’s hopes of making a strong impression at the competition, which will bring together promising young athletes from across the world.

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‎The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will provide a platform for emerging Nigerian talents to compete against some of the best young athletes internationally, gain valuable competitive experience and showcase their abilities on the global stage.

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‎The event is particularly significant for Nigeria’s long-term sporting development, offering young athletes an opportunity to gain exposure to elite international competition while representing the country in their respective disciplines.

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‎Team Nigeria’s participation also reflects the importance of investing in youth sports, identifying emerging talents and providing them with opportunities to develop into future senior national team athletes.

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‎As the Nigerian contingent prepares for the competition, expectations will be focused on strong performances, sportsmanship and the opportunity to raise the country’s profile in international youth sports.

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‎The departure marks the beginning of Team Nigeria’s journey to Dakar, where the athletes will seek to make the most of their opportunity to represent the nation at one of the world’s major multi-sport events for young athletes.