Ouagadougou: The Ministry of Sports, Youth and Employment recently held a ceremonial event at the August 4th Stadium where the national flag of Burkina Faso was presented to the Etalons Cadets. This was in preparation for their participation in the U17 Football World Cup, scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar, from November 3 to 27.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the chief of staff for the Minister of Sports, Evariste Dabire, officiated the event, presenting the flag to the team's captain, Fadil Barro. Dabire emphasized the significant role the young athletes play as ambassadors of Burkina Faso, highlighting their responsibility to uphold the country's honor and dignity on the international stage. He reminded the team that the flag represents the nation's history, courage, and unity.
Captain Adama Fadil Barro, upon receiving the flag, expressed the team's understanding of the task ahead, stating that they are committed to representing the 20 million citizens of Burkina Faso with honor and determination at the World Cup. Barro pledged that the team would compete with passion, discipline, and respect for their opponents, aiming to make their national anthem resonate proudly in Qatar.
This marks the second occasion this year that the national flag has been ceremoniously handed to the Burkinabe U17 team. The first was on March 14, 2025, when they were preparing for the AFCON tournament in Morocco, where they finished in 4th place. In Qatar, Burkina Faso will compete in Group I, facing teams from the United States, the Czech Republic, and Tajikistan.