Glasgow 2026: Okorie Credits NSC Leadership as Team Nigeria Ends Games with 24 Medals
Oru Leonard
Glasgow, Scotland – Performance Director and Athletes Liaison, Victor Okorie, has hailed the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), following Team Nigeria’s impressive outing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, describing the country’s performance as the beginning of a new era for Nigerian sports.
Nigeria concluded the Games in sixth position on the medals table with an impressive haul of 24 medals comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze after nine days of competition.
Okorie attributed the success to the resilience and determination of Nigerian athletes, coupled with the strategic leadership of the National Sports Commission under Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade.
According to him, the Commission’s emphasis on athlete welfare, quality preparation and high-performance development created the right atmosphere for competitors to excel on the international stage.
“This remarkable achievement is the result of visionary leadership, careful planning and a steadfast commitment to the success of Nigerian athletes,” Okorie said.
He commended Dikko and Olopade for providing the support and confidence that enabled Team Nigeria to compete with pride and belief, noting that the athletes genuinely appreciated the renewed attention given to their welfare and performance.
Okorie also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s continued support for sports development, saying the Glasgow performance reflects the positive impact of sustained government investment in athletes and sports administration.
He noted that Team Nigeria’s achievement was even more significant considering that Glasgow 2026 featured only 10 sports, compared to previous Commonwealth Games where nearly 20 sports offered medal opportunities.
“Winning 10 gold medals under these circumstances is an extraordinary accomplishment,” he said.
“In previous editions, Nigerian athletes competed in almost twice as many sports and won 12 gold medals. Achieving 10 gold medals with only half the number of events available demonstrates the exceptional quality, determination and resilience of this team.”
He described the campaign as “a triumph of quality over quantity, excellence over circumstance and determination over limitation.”
Despite celebrating the achievement, Okorie urged stakeholders not to become complacent, insisting that Glasgow should serve as a foundation for even greater success.
With preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games already in focus, he called for sustained investment in athlete development, improved preparation and continued support from government and stakeholders.
“Glasgow 2026 is not the destination; it is the beginning of a new chapter for Nigerian sports. If we maintain this vision, commitment and level of preparation, I am confident Nigeria can achieve even greater success at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games,” he said.
Team Nigeria’s campaign in Glasgow produced several memorable moments, including Commonwealth titles, Games records, historic podium finishes, personal best performances and breakthrough achievements by emerging athletes.
As the Commonwealth Games conclude, attention now shifts to consolidating the gains recorded in Glasgow as the National Sports Commission intensifies preparations towards building a stronger high-performance system ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
