By Aderonke Ojo
Bukola Olopade, The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), commended the Elite Athletes Development Board, led by former Team Nigeria captain Yusuf Ali, for its consistent accuracy in performance projections and its role in shaping Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Olopade said the board’s evaluations had remained reliable over time, noting that ahead of the Islamic Games it projected 32 medals from a 33-athlete contingent, a target he said the team nearly achieved.
“The evaluations have been thorough and the projections have always been reliable. That gives us confidence that Team Nigeria is fully prepared for the Commonwealth Games,” he said.
He explained that extensive athlete profiling and performance analysis had been conducted over the past two years to identify Nigeria’s strongest medal prospects and guide selection for major competitions.
Olopade also commended Abdulmumeen Sagaya and members of the Local Organising Committee, describing their commitment to preparations as exceptional and sustained over a long period.
“For the past one and a half years, it has been sleepless nights. Sagaya and the entire team have worked day and night to ensure every detail is in place,” he said.
According to him, the commission has adopted a strict approach to athlete welfare, adding that all allowances and financial entitlements would be processed without delay and paid directly into athletes’ Nigerian bank accounts while the team is in Aberdeen.
However, Olopade warned that improved welfare support comes with increased responsibility from athletes and officials, stressing that discipline would be strictly enforced throughout the Games.
He stated that any athlete or official found guilty of misconduct would face immediate sanctions, including possible expulsion from the contingent, regardless of status or reputation.
Olopade also urged athletes to address grievances through official channels rather than resorting to public complaints on social media, noting that the commission remains open to dialogue and swift resolution of issues.
He reaffirmed that maintaining discipline within the team remains a top priority as Nigeria prepares for its participation in Glasgow 2026.
Team Nigeria will be represented by a 74-athlete contingent at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2. The event will feature approximately 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories.
Nigeria will compete across 10 sports: athletics, 3×3 basketball, boxing, judo, para athletics, para cycling, para powerlifting, swimming, weightlifting, and wheelchair basketball.
The Games will also feature a streamlined programme with six integrated para sports, making it one of the most inclusive editions in its history.
The Nigerian contingent is expected to depart for a three-week pre-Games training camp in Aberdeen, Scotland, on Friday as part of final preparations for the global competition.
Shot put star Chukwuebuka Enekwechi will lead the men’s team, while two-time Paralympic champion Folashade Oluwafemilayo will captain the women’s contingent as Team Nigeria aims for a strong medal finish in Glasgow.
