2026 Commonwealth Games has set benchmark for future competitions — Shaibu

The Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has said the next task for Nigeria is to ensure the standards set at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, are maintained in future competitions.

Shaibu stated this while addressing journalists at a get-together party hosted by the British High Commission in Abuja to appreciate athletes, coaches and administrators of Team Nigeria for their performance in Glasgow.

The DG, who assured that Nigeria will sustain momentum by closely monitoring the progress of athletes and coaches, said the Institute will continue to introduce them to new techniques and developments in training and sports science to keep them competitive on the international stage while emphasising that the lessons from Glasgow go beyond medals.

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According to Shaibu, the follow-up will focus specifically on the progression of athletes and coaches as they begin preparations for the next Commonwealth Games, noting that the approach will be deliberate with regular assessments and technical support to bridge identified gaps.

He said, “The take is not about the medal won in the Glasgow, Scotland game but the passion and the never-say-die Nigeria spirit that was at play through the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.”

While describing the fighting spirit as the true benchmark for future outings, the NIS boss also commended the sports management team for prioritising athletes’ welfare during the Games, which he said contributed to team cohesion and performance, urging that the same standard be sustained in future competitions.