Nigerian U16 women basketballers land in Senegal

Pius Ayinor

Nigeria’s Under-16 ladies basketball team have arrived in Dakar, Senegal to participate in a preparatory tournament that the Nigeria Olympic Committee described as “a significant step” toward the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026. The event called the “Festival of Games” is scheduled for November 6th to 10th in Dakar.

The NOC spokesperson Chief Tony Nezianya confirmed to Extrasportsnigeria that the team arrived at the venue on Wednesday for the week-long event.

We were yet to confirm the full team roster as of the time of this publication but the team was put together by the Nigeria Basketball Federation. The invitation to feature in this age-grade event was received from the Local Organizing Committee of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. 

This event is called the Festival of Games. The organizers, we learnt, are using it to test their own readiness in hosting the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. It is not serving as an Olympic qualification. The countries competing against the Nigerian ladies are Kenya, Algeria, The Gambia and hosts Senegal.

 The NOC is covering all expenses related to the tournament. 

 “We are confident that their participation in this tournament will bolster their skills and inspire them to shine at the Youth Olympic Games,” the NOC said on Thursday.