Nigeria Targets Record Commonwealth Games Haul as NSC Confirms Team Readiness
Oru Leonard
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has expressed confidence in Team Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, with officials targeting a record-breaking medal performance at the competition.
Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said extensive preparations have been concluded to ensure Nigerian athletes compete under optimal conditions and surpass the country’s previous achievements at the Games.
Speaking on the team’s readiness, Olopade noted that the Commission has prioritised both podium success and athlete welfare, describing the Glasgow outing as an opportunity to establish new benchmarks for Nigeria’s participation in international multi-sport events.
According to him, all key arrangements, including athletes’ kits, training programmes and welfare packages, have been finalised with the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Everything we need for our athletes to be in the best frame of mind for the Games has been put in place. From the apparel they will wear to their pre-competition preparations and welfare package, we have been able to sort everything out with the full support of Mr President,” Olopade said.
He revealed that athletes currently camped in Abuja are in high spirits, while members of the athletics team are expected to join the camp following the conclusion of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) trials in Lagos.
The NSC boss also disclosed that concerns over the availability of some of Nigeria’s top athletes based in the United States had been resolved after positive developments regarding their travel arrangements.
“We are expecting the likes of Samuel Ogazi, Kanyinsola Ajayi and other elite athletes based in America to arrive at the team’s camp in Abuja by the weekend,” he stated.
Olopade further announced that Nigeria is aiming to win 16 gold medals in Glasgow, a feat that would surpass the country’s best-ever Commonwealth Games performance of 12 gold medals achieved at the 2022 Games in Birmingham.
As part of final preparations, Team Nigeria is scheduled to depart for a pre-Games training camp in Aberdeen on July 2 ahead of the opening of the Commonwealth Games on July 23.
The NSC believes the combination of thorough planning, athlete support and the availability of the country’s leading competitors will position Nigeria for one of its most successful outings in Commonwealth Games history.
