By IJEOMA OKIGDO/ADERONKE OJO

Nigeria will compete in eight sports with 21 athletes at the forthcoming Youth Olympics, following the selection of events by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Bukola Olopade, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), said Nigeria accepted the invitation in spite of concerns that the selected sports did not favour the country’s competitive strengths.

Olopade, who spoke with journalists ahead of the competition, said Nigeria decided to participate because the event was taking place in Africa for the first time.

He explained that the IOC selected the sports for Nigeria, leaving the country with limited options in determining the events in which its athletes would compete.

“Areas where we had competitive advantages have been taken away from us, so I am not too sure about our positioning.

“But this is an opportunity for us to develop young talents, expose them to international competition and help them build their capacity,” he said.

Olopade said the athletes had spent three weeks in camp preparing for the competition, adding that the commission remained hopeful of winning medals in spite of the challenges.

He specifically expressed optimism about Nigeria’s beach volleyball team, noting that the young athletes had previously qualified the country for the Olympics.

“I was very optimistic when I saw the beach volleyball. That could be a gold medal because it is the same team of young athletes still in school that qualified us for the 2028 Olympics,” he said.

The NSC DG also announced cash rewards of 3,000 dollars, 2,500 dollars and 2,000 dollars for athletes who win gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively.

He said the rewards would be channelled towards the athletes’ school fees, complementing the commission’s existing scholarship scheme for outstanding young athletes.

Olopade added that Nigeria would deploy three psychologists and two safeguarding officers to support the athletes’ psychological well-being and ensure their safety during the competition.

He said Nigeria’s participation was also an opportunity to expose the young athletes to international competition and prepare them for future sporting challenges. (NAN)