The National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled Team Nigeria’s official Puma kits for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, expressing optimism that the athletes will not only fly Nigeria’s flag higher but win laurels at the competition
NSC chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, while speaking at the event, said the Commission was intentional about a strategic approach to athlete preparation, saying the programme was well planned.
According to Dikko, the Commission’s preparations for the Games started way back in 2024 through constant participation in international tournaments to put athletes in competitive mode, while adding that the athletes were selected based on merit and ability to win medals and surpass Nigeria’s record at the Games.
Dikko said, “Everything has been done in the right way. Under our reforms, we must be intentional and deliberate.
“That is exactly what we have done to ensure our athletes have the best possible preparation. We believe this team has the quality to achieve an unprecedented performance if they compete to their full potential.”
The NSC boss also stated that medal-winning athletes would receive their cash rewards without delay as he revealed the impact of the Elite Athletes Development Board (EADB) in identifying Nigeria’s strongest medal prospects through extensive athlete profiling and performance analysis.
Corroborating Dikko’s view, NSC DG, Bukola Olopade, said EADB has never disappointed in its reports as he assured that Team Nigeria is good to go for the Games.
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The DG, however, warned that any act of indiscipline on the part of the athletes or officials, such as those who go against the rules, will be sanctioned accordingly and sent away from the camp.
He said, “The evaluations have been thorough, and the projections have consistently proved reliable. We are confident that this team is well prepared for Glasgow.
“If anyone misbehaves or brings the country into disrepute, such a person will be expelled. Discipline is non-negotiable because we are representing Nigeria.”
The Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, in his remarks, said Team Nigeria had undergone one of the best preparations in recent times as he charged the athletes to bring glory to the country in Glasgow.
“Everything the athletes need has been provided. They should go to Glasgow with the Nigerian spirit, compete with determination and make the country proud,” Shaibu said.
Nigeria will compete in 10 sports, namely: athletics, basketball (3×3), boxing, judo, swimming and weightlifting. Others are wheelchair basketball, para athletics, para cycling and para powerlifting. The contingent will depart Nigeria on Friday for a three-week training camp in Aberdeen, Scotland.
