A charge by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the country’s athletes to put up outstanding performances at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland has been cited as huge factor that will spur the Nigerian contingent to aim for a massive haul of medals.
Sports247 reports that a reminder about the president’s declaration was provided by the National Sports Commission’s director of information and public relations, Dr (Mrs.) Kehinde Ajayi, who also pointed out that Team Nigeria’s athletes will be further inspired by the presence of top officials at the Games Village.
Ajayi disclosed that NSC’s chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko and the director-general, Honourable Bukola Olopade are both physically present in Glasgow, which should be a huge source of motivation for the contingent to garner more medals than ever in all their respective sport disciplines.
She stated further in a media statement that Dikko and Olopade are both in Glasgow with a presidential assignment to lead Team Nigeria’s target of winning between 16 to 20 gold medals, following a charge delivered on behalf of President Tinubu by his chief of staff, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila.
While delivering the president’s message during the official send forth for Team Nigeria in Abuja, Gbajabiamila declared: “Go out there, win medals, and wait for a grateful nation to reward you. The president is solidly behind you. He wants you to make Nigeria proud by winning laurels.”
The NSC’s image maker further pointed out that President Tinubu’s charge was reinforced by his special adviser on media and public communications, Chief Sunday Dare, who emphasised that the task before Team Nigeria is not only to win medals but to also surpass the position, they got at Birmingham 2022.
While charging top shots of the NSC to ensure the athletes remain focused on the task ahead, avoid distractions and return with their highest number of medals ever, the former sports minister added: “The president is solidly behind Team Nigeria. The assignment is clear: go to Glasgow, win medals and make Nigeria proud.”
Ajayi also confirmed that Nigeria is being represented at Glasgow 2026 by a total of 72 athletes across 10 sports disciplines, in which they will vie for glory in athletics, 3×3 basketball, judo, boxing, track cycling, weightlifting, swimming, Para powerlifting, wheelchair basketball and para-athletics.
She concluded by stating that, with the events now ongoing, NSC officials are confident that ‘the combination of meticulous preparation, enhanced athlete welfare and unwavering presidential support will inspire the nation’s athletes to deliver’ Nigeria’s most outstanding outing in Commonwealth Games’ history.
