The director-general of National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade has handed a strong charge to the country’s contingent at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, urging them all to make Nigerians proud.
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Sports247 reports that Olopade pointed out that the athletes have received good preparations and a tremendous level of encouragement to excel at the ongoing Games, hence his verdict that they must give their very best in return.
He reiterated that the NSC’s present crop of leaders will continue taking athletes’ welfare as a priority, because they know what it means to motivate competitors and the type of results that will follow.
“Let me make it clear,” said Olopade, in a special online broadcast about 12 hours before the commencement of track and field events at Glasgow 2026.
“When we said athletes’ welfare is our number one priority, it’s because Mallam Shehu Dikko and I know where we are coming from. As a commissioner for sports in Ogun State, that was what I was known for.
“It was my forte, and I saw how it motivated the athletes of Ogun State. They climbed from 19th position to second in just four, five years.
“What really happens it that, day-in-day-out, athletes usually sweat, and they work very hard. Therefore, it is always demoralising when they feel that they are not respected.
“They feel bad when they are not properly acknowledged for their efforts. Yes, we talk about patriotism, but there should also be something about rewards.”
Olopade ended with a view that one good turn deserves another and hinted that to whom much is given much is expected, as he affirmed: “We also have to talk about looking after one another.
“So, I’ve said to them, ‘We have done our bit, now we are looking up to you. We have motivated you beyond your comprehension. Nigerians are now expecting you to do your best to make them proud.’”
