Twenty-six (26) Nigerian athletes have received a major morale boost ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, as the National Sports Commission (NSC), through its Elite and Podium Board, has disbursed training grants totaling over ₦200 million to selected top-performing athletes.
Dr. Mrs. Kehinde Ajayi, FCAI, ANIPR, who is the National Sports Commission’s Director of Information and Public Relations revealed in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
The athletes were drawn from both foreign-based and home-based categories, benefitting from the grants, as it will cater for their training and preparation expenses. The recipients cut across several sports, including athletics, wrestling, weightlifting and para-sports, in line with the Commission’s mandate to prioritise athletes welfare and high-performance development.
The disbursement follows the establishment of the Elite and Podium Board, created to implement a scientific and institutionalised support system aimed at sustaining peak performances by Nigerian athletes at major international competitions.
Athletes in weightlifting, athletics, taekwondo, powerlifting, para table tennis, para athletics and para badminton were selected for the 2026 training grants after a rigorous and professional evaluation process conducted by the Elite and Podium Board of the NSC.
Director-General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said the Commission, under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was established to restore confidence and provide renewed hope for Nigerian sportsmen and women by placing strong emphasis on athlete welfare.
“Mr. President has graciously increased our budget and given sports special financial considerations because he believes strongly in the power of sports and the potential of the Nigerian athlete. This commitment is already reflecting in improved performances and successes at international competitions,” Olopade said.
“The training grants disbursed to 26 athletes across different sports followed a careful and professional selection process by the Yusuf Ali-led Elite and Podium Board. This is our way of reassuring our athletes that their welfare remains our utmost priority.”
Hon. Olopade added that the initiative would significantly aid athletes’ preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland and other major global competitions, including the Olympic Games.
“I often say that when we take care of our athletes, they will take care of the country by winning medals. Under the chairmanship of Mallam Shehu Dikko, the NSC will continue to explore ways to enhance athlete welfare so that they can consistently perform at their best while representing the nation,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the payment of this year’s Athletes Grants is the second time in six months that the NSC is disbursing such payment to the country’s top Elite Athletes.
