Sunday Dare Hails Team Nigeria’s Glasgow 2026 Success, Commends Tinubu’s Support for Sports
Oru Leonard
Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development and Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, has congratulated Team Nigeria on its impressive performance at the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, describing the achievement as proof that the country’s sports development agenda is yielding positive results.
Dare said the outstanding performance of Nigerian athletes reflects the steady progress being made in the nation’s sports sector, adding that the National Sports Commission (NSC) has continued to build on the reforms and institutional structures established during his tenure as Sports Minister between 2019 and 2023.
“I join millions of Nigerians in congratulating our athletes, coaches and officials on their wonderful performance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
I am particularly delighted that the National Sports Commission is building on the foundation we laid, and the results are now manifestly clear with our impressive outing in Glasgow,” he said.
He noted that Team Nigeria has successfully maintained its position as Africa’s highest-ranked nation at the Commonwealth Games, a feat first reclaimed during the Birmingham 2022 Games after the country’s historic fourth-place finish at the 1994 edition.
According to Dare, Nigeria’s seventh-place overall finish in Birmingham 2022 marked a significant turnaround in the country’s sporting fortunes, and the consistency displayed in Glasgow demonstrates that sustained investment and continuity in sports administration are producing measurable results.
“It is gratifying to see that the team has maintained that upward trajectory in Glasgow. This consistency shows that Nigeria is making steady progress in sports development and that sustained investment and continuity will continue to deliver positive results,” he stated.
The former Sports Minister also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising sports development through increased support, improved funding and sustained investment in youth empowerment under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I must commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to investing in Nigerian youths and for renewing the hopes of our sportsmen and women. The President has demonstrated that sports remain an important vehicle for youth empowerment, national unity and international prestige. His administration’s support has given our athletes renewed confidence to compete and succeed on the global stage,” Dare said.
He equally praised the leadership of the National Sports Commission, particularly its Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, for sustaining the momentum and consolidating on previous achievements.
“I congratulate Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade for keeping the flag flying high. They have shown commitment to consolidating on the progress already made, and I have no doubt that even greater successes await Nigerian sports,” he added.
Expressing optimism about the future of Nigerian sports, Dare said continued government support, effective administration and sustained investment in young talents would further strengthen the country’s position as a leading sporting nation in Africa and on the global stage.
“I believe the future is even brighter for Nigerian youths. If we continue to invest in our young talents, strengthen our sports institutions and maintain the current level of support, Nigeria will continue to produce champions and achieve even greater success on the continental and global stage,” he said.
Credit: Kola Daniel
