By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially unveiled Team Nigeria’s new Puma kits for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, expressing confide FCnce that the country is on course for its most successful outing in the history of the competition.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko said the commission had implemented a deliberate, long-term strategy to ensure Nigerian athletes arrive in Glasgow fully prepared to compete for medals.
According to him, preparations for the Games began as early as 2024 through consistent participation in international competitions, athlete development programmes and a merit-based selection process focused on medal prospects.
Dikko said the reforms introduced by the commission had transformed Nigeria’s approach to elite sports, adding that every decision leading to the Games was driven by planning, performance analysis and intentional investment in athletes.
He expressed optimism that Team Nigeria could return from Glasgow with between 16 and 22 medals if the athletes perform to their potential.
To further boost performance, Dikko disclosed that medal-winning athletes would receive their cash rewards immediately after their events, while the contingent will spend three weeks in Aberdeen, Scotland, for final preparations and acclimatisation ahead of the Games.
He credited the Elite Athletes Development Board with identifying Nigeria’s strongest medal hopefuls through detailed profiling and performance assessment.
NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade said the board’s projections had consistently proved reliable, assuring Nigerians that the country’s representatives were adequately prepared for the competition.
Olopade also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to athlete welfare, revealing that allowances would be paid promptly and transferred directly into athletes’ Nigerian bank accounts.
He, however, warned that the commission would maintain a zero-tolerance policy on indiscipline throughout the Games.
“Anyone who brings the country into disrepute will be expelled from the contingent. Discipline is non-negotiable because we are representing Nigeria,” he said.
Also speaking, Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, Philip Shaibu, described the preparations as the best Nigeria had witnessed in years, urging the athletes to reward the nation’s confidence with outstanding performances.
He said all necessary support had been provided for the team and challenged the athletes to compete with determination and make the country proud.
Team Nigeria will compete in 10 sports at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled for July 23 to August 2. The delegation includes 74 athletes who will participate in athletics, 3×3 basketball, boxing, judo, para athletics, para cycling, para powerlifting, swimming, weightlifting and wheelchair basketball.
The team departs on Friday for a three-week training camp in Aberdeen before moving to Glasgow for the Games.
Glasgow 2026 will feature a streamlined programme of 10 sports, including six integrated para sports, making it one of the most inclusive editions of the Commonwealth Games.
Shot put star Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and para powerlifting champion Folashade Oluwafemilayo will captain the men’s and women’s teams respectively as Nigeria targets a historic medal haul.
