Tinubu charges Nigeria athletes ahead 2026 Commonwealth Games
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged team Nigeria to compete with integrity at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Games will kick off from July 23 to August 2 but the Nigerian contingent are expected to depart the country on Friday to undergo a three-week intensive training camp before heading to Glasgow.
While hosting the team at a send-off ceremony held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, the president, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, charged the team to win in a clean way.
He said: “Go to Glasgow with confidence, discipline, and unity. We must remember that we’re exporting our moral values as a nation,” he stated, referencing previous challenges in Birmingham as a lesson for the current squad.
“Winning is important, but winning clean is more important. Medals are valuable, but integrity is priceless.
“We are determined as a country to build a sports system where our athletes can succeed without suspicion,”
Team Nigeria will compete in 10 sports with a 74-member athlete contingent.
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At the 2022 edition of the games, Nigeria finished as Africa’s highest-ranked team with 35 medals: 12 gold, nine silver and 14 bronze.
Meanwhile, The NSC unveiled global sportswear giant PUMA as the official kit partner for Team Nigeria.
Director-General of the NIS, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has expressed optimism that the team can win 20 gold medals in Glasgow.
He said: “We thank God for the timely preparation, which is different from what we used to have.
“Just as we have charged the athletes, they should go there and win. Everything needed for their preparation and travel has been provided. It is now left for them to appreciate Nigerians and Nigeria by making us proud by winning medals. With what I have seen in them, I am confident they can return with 20 gold medals.”
Nigeria has won 236 medals overall at the Commonwealth Games since its debut. This impressive all-time haul consists of 70 gold, 75 silver, and 91 bronze medals.
