Athletes depart for 2018 Youths Olympics Games in Argentina

By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria’s Youth Olympic Athletes yesterday departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport enroute to Argentina for this year’s Youth Olympic Games.
The team which is made up of 17 athletes will participate in 8 sports events at the Games.
In a news conference yesterday in Abuja to send forth the athletes and their team officials, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung charged them to be good ambassadors of the country and come back with medals.
The minister who was represented at the ceremony by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Adesola Olusade advised the athletes to shun drugs and avoid substance that would mar the image of the country and their career.
“You are ambassadors of Nigeria and the President, through the ministry is in support of you to achieve success in Argentina.
“Be patriotic and committed. Nigeria, the Olympic committee and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria have no tolerance for anything that has to do with doping. Do not take nor drink anything during the Games without your coaches’ approval,” the minister said.
Speaking later, the captain of the team, Ineh Emmanuel thanked the government and ministry for their support and promised that the athletes would not disappoint Nigerians.
Nigeria is represented at the Youths Games by 17 athletes who will feature in 8 events such as athletics, badminton, canoeing, weightlifting, golf, wrestling, boxing and table tennis.
The 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games officially known as the III Summer Youth Olympic Games, and commonly known as
Buenos Aires 2018 is an international sport, cultural and educational event that will be hosted in Buenos Aires, Argentina between 6 and 18 October 2018.

A total of 206 nations made up of 3, 998 athletes will participate in 241 events in 32 sports during the games.