Commonwealth Games Build-Up: NSC Funds 26 Athletes With ₦200m Training Support

Commonwealth Games Build-Up: NSC Funds 26 Athletes With ₦200m Training Support

By Niyi Busari 

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has disbursed more than ₦200 million in training grants to 26 Nigerian athletes as part of preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The funding, released through the Commission’s Elite and Podium Board, is aimed at supporting the training and high-performance preparation of selected athletes across multiple sports. Beneficiaries were drawn from both home-based and foreign-based categories.

The recipients span several disciplines, including athletics, wrestling, weightlifting, taekwondo, powerlifting and para-sports, such as para athletics, para table tennis and para badminton. The initiative aligns with the NSC’s mandate to prioritise athlete welfare and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness at major international events.

The grants follow the establishment of the Elite and Podium Board, which was created to implement a structured, scientific and institutionalised support system designed to sustain peak performance among elite Nigerian athletes.

According to the NSC, the selection of beneficiaries was carried out through a rigorous and professional evaluation process by the Yusuf Ali-led Elite and Podium Board, focusing on athletes with strong prospects ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games and other global competitions.

Director-General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said the Commission, under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was established to restore confidence in Nigerian sports by placing athlete welfare at the centre of its policies.

“Mr President has increased our budget and given sports special financial consideration because he believes strongly in the power of sports and the potential of the Nigerian athlete,” Olopade said. “This commitment is already translating into improved performances and successes at international competitions.”

He added that the latest disbursement was intended to reassure athletes of the Commission’s commitment to their well-being.

“The training grants disbursed to 26 athletes across different sports followed a careful and professional selection process. This is our way of reinforcing that athlete welfare remains our top priority,” he said.

Olopade further noted that the initiative would play a significant role in preparing athletes for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland, as well as other major events, including the Olympic Games.

“When we take care of our athletes, they will take care of the country by winning medals,” he said. “Under the chairmanship of Mallam Shehu Dikko, the NSC will continue to explore ways to enhance athlete welfare so our representatives can consistently perform at their best.”

The current disbursement marks the second time in six months that the NSC has released training grants to Nigeria’s elite athletes.