NSC Director-General urges Team Nigeria to compete with courage ahead of Commonwealth Games

By: Sunny Canto 

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, has urged Team Nigeria athletes to compete with courage, discipline and patriotism as they prepare to depart Aberdeen for Glasgow ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games this weekend.

According to the elites at their training camp in Aberdeen after the conclusion of the final phase of preparations, Olopade said the team had been given every opportunity to succeed and charged them to repay the confidence reposed in them with outstanding performances.

"I addressed our Team Nigeria athletes at their training camp in Aberdeen as they concluded the final phase of their preparations ahead of their departure to Glasgow for the start of the Commonwealth Games in a few days," Olopade said.

He highlighted the Federal Government's commitment to sports development, noting that the athletes had benefited from unprecedented support under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.

"The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has made an unprecedented investment in Team Nigeria by providing a world-class training environment to ensure our athletes are fully prepared to compete with the very best," he stated.

Olopade reminded the athletes that representing Nigeria is both a privilege and a duty, calling on them to uphold the nation's values throughout the Games.

"I reminded the team that wearing the Green and White is both an honour and a responsibility. I want all the professional athletes to remain focused, disciplined, patriotic, and scandal-free throughout the Games while giving their very best for our great nation," he said.

The NSC Director General also delivered a stirring message ahead of the team's departure, encouraging the athletes to embrace the challenge of competing on the international stage.

"As you step onto the global stage, compete fiercely and fairly, make Nigeria proud, and remember that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, looks forward to welcoming you home with medals and stories of success," Olopade added.

Meanwhile, at the previous Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Team Nigeria delivered its most successful performance in the history of the event, finishing with an outstanding win of 12 gold, 9 silver, and 14 bronze; a total of 35 medals.

In summary, Team Nigeria will leave Aberdeen for Glasgow by the weekend, where they will compete for lunrels and medals at the Commonwealth Games after weeks of intensive preparations in Aberdeen, Scotland.