The director-general of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade has virtually turned into a prophet who looks into the future, as he predicted better days ahead of the country’s young athletes.
Sports247 reports that Olopade made the prediction while speaking about his expectations from this year’s Youth Olympics, which is coming up this weekend in Dakar, Senegal and for the first time on African soil.
In furtherance of his bold projections and as motivation for the country’s athletes, Olopade announced cash rewards of $3,000 for gold medallists at the impending multi-sports gathering officially tagged 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games.
He disclosed the incentives during a sendforth ceremony for the contingent inside the media centre of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, where he added that those who win silver will get $2,500, while bronze medalists will earn $2,000.
Olopade then charged the athletes to carry Nigeria’s banner with discipline and patriotism at the global competition, which he described as a rare opportunity and important milestone in their journeys towards senior international outings.
He also pointed out that outstanding perfornances in Dakar would earn the youth athletes recognition for major competitions in days ahead, including the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, USA and further chances to shape the country’s sporting future.
“The Youth Olympics in Dakar is very historic, and you are making history by being part of the first Olympic Games to be held in Africa. This is why I am very confident that these Games will mark the beginning of greatness for all of you,” Olopade enthused.
Sports247 adds that this year’s Youth Olympic Games will hold from this Saturday to November 13th with more than 2,700 young athletes from 205 countries expected in attendance and compete for many medals through healthy rivalries.
