• Fatodu banks on swimmers for glory

Track youngster, Rosemary Nwankwo, and table tennis sensation, Mathew Kuti, and 17 others are the athletes selected to represent the country across six sports at the historic 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.

The Youth Olympics Games, which begins on October 31, will be the first Olympic sporting event to be hosted on African soil.

Nigeria’s 19 athletes, comprising 12 girls and seven boys, will compete in athletics, boxing, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and beach volleyball, as the country looks to showcase its emerging sporting talents on the international stage.

Athletics will lead Nigeria’s representation with nine athletes, including Treasure Omosiwe, Rosemary Nwankwo, Rita Chisom Ezeh, Faith Ezechukwu, Praise Ugoh, Gift Bright, Gift Oghenerunor, Obanla Ehuwa and Godswill Nkemakolam.

The Nigerian contingent in athletics will compete in various events, including the 100m, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, 400m, shot put, high jump and javelin throw.

In boxing, Shukurat Mayowa will represent Nigeria in the women’s 48kg category, while Ringnan Danjuma will compete in the women’s road race and individual time trial in cycling.

Swimming will feature four Nigerian athletes: Akinsanmi Omolola, Kristabel Chisa Oldeide, Aidan Dumuje-Abili and Kashope Obatoyinbo.

Nigeria’s table tennis representatives are Favour Ojo and Mathew Kuti, who will compete in the singles and mixed doubles events.

The country will also field a two-athlete women’s beach volleyball team comprising Pamela Bawa and Joy Lawrence.

Team Nigeria was scheduled to depart Abuja for Dakar yesterday, with the opening ceremony taking place on October 31 at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium.

Competitions in table tennis and beach volleyball will begin on the opening day, while swimming starts on November 1. Boxing is scheduled for November 7 to 12, with athletics and road cycling taking place on selected dates between November 8 and 10.

The Youth Olympic Games provide an important platform for Nigeria’s young athletes to gain international exposure, compete against some of the best emerging talents in the world and build experience for future elite competitions.

Meanwhile, the President, Nigeria Aquatic Federation, Lekan Fatodu, who is also the Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, is optimistic that the four young swimmers have what it takes to do Nigeria proud at the Youth Olympics in Dakar.

“This is the Youth Olympics, and I am confident the four Nigerian swimmers (two boys and two girls) will do us proud in Dakar. If time permits me, I will be in Dakar to cheer Team Nigeria in Senegal,” Fatodu told The Guardian yesterday in Lagos.