Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has expressed confidence that Team Nigeria’s athletics squad will secure between seven and eight gold medals as the track and field events of the 2026 Commonwealth Games begin in Glasgow on Monday.
Nigeria’s campaign on the opening day of athletics will feature competitors in the men’s and women’s 100m heats, the women’s hammer throw and the women’s F57 para shot put.
National 100m champion Favour Ashe and Fakorede Adekalu will spearhead Nigeria’s bid in the men’s sprint, aiming to advance to the semi-finals.
Miracle Ezechukwu is set to compete in the women’s 100m heats, while Sade Olatoye will represent the country in the women’s hammer throw.
Eucharia Iyiazi will also be in action in the women’s F57 para shot put.
Speaking in Glasgow, Olopade said the commission’s performance projections remain encouraging, adding that the athletics team is in high spirits ahead of competition.
“So far, so good. If the projections of the elite board are anything to go by, we are still on track. I was with the athletics team and the spirit is very high. We are hoping for about seven to eight gold medals there,” Olopade said.
“Beyond all of this, I am very proud of the athletes and the officials I have worked with over the last one and a half years. It is so obvious that Nigeria can stand firm and be counted. I am happy to hear that so many people are saying they see an identity in our sports.”
The NSC boss also reaffirmed the commission’s focus on improving athletes’ welfare, describing it as a priority under the current administration.
“When we said athletes’ welfare was number one, it is because we knew where we were coming from. It is very demoralising when athletes don’t get the feeling that they are appreciated. It is about patriotism, but it is also about rewards,” he added.
Meanwhile, Team Nigeria increased its medal haul on Sunday after weightlifter Ruth Nyong produced a spirited recovery to win silver in the women’s 48kg category.
Nyong recorded a personal best of 75kg in the snatch to finish third in that phase of the competition.
She then failed her opening two clean and jerk attempts at 93kg before successfully lifting the weight on her final attempt to clinch the silver medal.
Her combined total of 168kg placed her behind India’s Mirabai Chanu, who won gold, while Malaysia’s Irene Henry settled for bronze.
With the weightlifting competition concluded on Sunday, Nigeria finished with an impressive haul of three gold and four silver medals.
