The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has expressed confidence in Team Nigeria’s readiness for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, assuring that preparations are on course for a successful outing.
Speaking on the team’s level of preparedness, Olopade said extensive planning and hard work had gone into ensuring that Nigeria records its best-ever performance at the Games.
He noted that the Commission is deliberately raising the bar for the country’s participation in international multi-sport events, with a strong emphasis on podium finishes and athlete welfare.
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“Everything needed for our athletes to be in the best frame of mind for the Games has been put in place,” Olopade said. “From the apparel they will be donning to the team’s pre-competition preparations and welfare packages, we have been able to sort everything out with the full support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”
“The athletes are in high spirits at their camp in Abuja. Their track and field counterparts are joining them following the successful conclusion of the national trials in Lagos by the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN).”
“We are also very excited to announce that any anxieties regarding the availability of our overseas-based athletes have been allayed, following positive updates from the American Embassy.”
“We are therefore expecting the likes of Samuel Ogazi, Kanyinsola Ajayi, and other top US-based athletes to arrive at the team’s camp in Abuja by the weekend.”
The DG further revealed that the Commission is targeting 16 gold medals in Glasgow, which would set a new Commonwealth Games record for Nigeria. The country’s current highest haul is 12 gold medals, achieved at the 2022 Games in Birmingham.
The Nigerian contingent is scheduled to depart for a training camp in Aberdeen on July 2, ahead of the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on July 23, 2026.
