NSC Expresses Confidence As Nigerian Athletes Begin Quest for African Glory

NSC Expresses Confidence As Nigerian Athletes Begin Quest for African Glory

By Admin 

The National Sports Commission has expressed strong confidence in Team Nigeria ahead of the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana, from May 12 to 17, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

A 41-member Nigerian contingent has already arrived in the Ghanaian capital ahead of Monday’s opening ceremony for the six-day continental competition.

Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, urged the athletes to compete with discipline, confidence and patriotism while representing the country on the continental stage.

According to Olopade, Nigeria’s athletes have continued to show remarkable progress and consistency in both continental and international competitions, expressing optimism that the team would once again make the nation proud in Ghana.

He noted that the championship presents another opportunity for Nigeria to display its growing depth of talent, particularly with the combination of established international stars and promising young athletes in the squad.

Team Nigeria’s delegation consists of 17 male and 24 female athletes who will compete across 26 track and field events as the country seeks to maintain its upward trajectory in African athletics.

Leading the Nigerian challenge is world record holder and reigning sprint hurdles star Tobi Amusan, alongside several home-based and foreign-based athletes who have already settled in Accra ahead of the championships.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria had earlier confirmed that its President, Tonobok Okowa, will lead the delegation.

Technical supervision of the team will be handled by AFN Technical Director, Gabriel Okon, supported by an experienced coaching crew that includes National Head Coach Solomon Aliyu for hurdles, Olu Sule for horizontal jumps, Deji Aliu for sprints, Gabriel Opuana for throws, Kolawole Adebayo for vertical jumps, Saheed Akinpelu for long sprints, Mavuah Esabunor for short sprints, Pade Lawal for women’s sprints, and Henry Okorie.

Olopade reiterated the Commission’s commitment to providing the necessary support and environment for athletes and sports federations to succeed, adding that Team Nigeria possesses the quality, preparation and competitive spirit needed to challenge Africa’s best athletes.

The National Sports Commission also praised the efforts of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria in preparing the team for the championships, coming on the heels of Nigeria securing four qualification tickets for global events at the recent World Relays Championships in Gaborone, Botswana.