The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has congratulated Team Nigeria for its outstanding start at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, describing the opening day performances as a clear testament to the country’s abundant sporting talent and the rewards of sustained investment in athlete development.
Hon. Adeboye particularly praised Nigeria’s para powerlifting contingent, whose remarkable exploits produced three gold medals, three silver medals, and multiple world records, instantly placing Team Nigeria among the standout nations of the Games.
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The Presidential aide said the record-breaking performances by Folashade Oluwafemiayo, Esther Nworgu, Riluwan Idris, Esther Oyema, Rita Ferdinand, and Roland Ezuruike have once again demonstrated why Nigeria remains a dominant force in para sports globally.
“The remarkable performances of our athletes on the opening day of the Commonwealth Games have filled every Nigerian with immense pride. They have shown the world that with resilience, discipline, proper preparation, and belief, Nigerian athletes can compete with and defeat the very best on the global stage.”
Hon. Adeboye described the multiple world records set by Team Nigeria as a reflection of years of sacrifice, dedication, and structured athlete development, noting that such achievements further reinforce Nigeria’s reputation as one of the world’s leading nations in para powerlifting.
He commended the National Sports Commission, under the leadership of Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, for creating an enabling environment for athletes to excel through improved welfare, motivation, and strategic planning.
According to the SSA, the Commission’s enhanced athlete reward system sends a strong message that excellence, patriotism, and hard work will continue to receive the recognition they deserve.
“When athletes know that their sacrifices are appreciated and their achievements rewarded, they are inspired to give even more. The support being provided by the National Sports Commission reflects a new direction for Nigerian sports under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Hon. Adeboye further noted that the success recorded in Glasgow should inspire greater commitment to grassroots sports development across the country.
He explained that every international champion first emerged from a community, a school competition, or a local sporting programme, emphasizing that Nigeria must continue to strengthen talent identification and development from the grassroots to sustain success on the global stage.
“Every medal won today began as a dream in a local community. Every world record started with a young athlete who was given an opportunity to develop. This is why grassroots sports development remains the foundation of our national sports agenda. We must continue to identify, nurture, and support young talents across all 774 Local Government Areas so that Nigeria can consistently produce world champions.”
The Presidential aide also commended the fighting spirit displayed by Nigeria’s men’s 3×3 basketball team, encouraging them to remain focused despite their defeat to Australia after recording the country’s historic first Commonwealth Games victory in the event.
He equally urged athletes competing in other sports to draw inspiration from the para powerlifting team’s exploits as the Games progress.
“The Commonwealth Games is a marathon, not a sprint. The performances we have witnessed on the opening day should motivate every Nigerian athlete to compete with courage, determination, and the unwavering belief that they can bring honour to our nation. Nigeria is solidly behind Team Nigeria.”
Hon. Adeboye expressed confidence that Team Nigeria would continue to build on its impressive start and deliver more memorable performances throughout the Games, reaffirming his office’s commitment to supporting initiatives that expand grassroots sports, promote athlete development, and create sustainable pathways for future champions in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
