The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has applauded Team Nigeria for what he described as one of the country’s most inspiring Commonwealth Games campaigns in recent history, saying the performances in Glasgow are clear evidence that strategic investment in athletes and grassroots sports is beginning to yield remarkable results.
Hon. Adeboye, who was at the athletics events alongside the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised the fighting spirit displayed by Nigerian athletes, whose performances continue to attract admiration from spectators across the Commonwealth.
Read Also: SPECIAL REPORT: Why Nigerians Should Celebrate Team Nigeria’s Historic Commonwealth Games Campaign—And the Best May Still Be Yet to Come
The Presidential aide said every competition has reinforced the fact that Nigeria possesses the talent to compete with the very best in the world when athletes are provided with the right environment, adequate preparation, and strong institutional support.
“Watching our athletes compete here in Glasgow fills me with immense pride. Beyond the medals, what we are witnessing is the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian champions whose performances are proving that our country remains a force in international sports. The future of Nigerian sports is incredibly bright.”
Hon. Adeboye described the record-breaking performances by Team Nigeria’s athletes as a reflection of the reforms introduced by the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, noting that improved athlete welfare and performance incentives have boosted confidence within the Nigerian contingent.
He particularly commended para-athletics sensation Goodness Nwachukwu for rewriting the world record books in the women’s discus event while winning Nigeria’s seventh gold medal, describing her achievement as an inspiration to young athletes across the country.
The SSA also celebrated the silver medal won by 19-year-old Nigerian-American Chukwuebuka Oji in the women’s shot put, describing her remarkable debut for Team Nigeria as proof that the country’s future in field events is secure.
“Seeing a 19-year-old athlete stand confidently on the Commonwealth Games podium in her first appearance for Nigeria tells us everything about the importance of believing in young talents. Whether they are discovered within our communities or proudly choosing to represent Nigeria from abroad, they deserve our support and confidence. They are the future of our nation.”
Hon. Adeboye further applauded athletes who have made history during the Games, including those who broke longstanding medal droughts, established new Commonwealth and world records, reached unprecedented finals, and opened new frontiers for Nigerian sports.
According to him, Team Nigeria’s achievements go beyond the medal table.
He noted that they represent the success of deliberate planning, improved athlete preparation, effective administration, and renewed confidence in Nigerian sports.
“This Glasgow campaign is special because it is not defined only by medals. It is defined by history being made. We have seen world records broken, decades-long barriers shattered, first-ever achievements recorded, and young athletes announcing themselves on the global stage. These are the milestones that define the progress of a sporting nation.”
The Presidential aide reiterated that grassroots sports remain the foundation of sustainable sporting success, emphasizing that every international champion once started as a young athlete competing in school and community competitions.
He reaffirmed his commitment to expanding grassroots sports development across Nigeria through talent identification, infrastructure development, school sports revival, and strategic partnerships in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that the next Goodness Nwachukwu, the next Chukwuebuka Oji, the next Kayinsola Ajayi, and the next generation of world champions are discovered early and given every opportunity to succeed. That is why grassroots sports development remains central to our national sports agenda. The performances in Glasgow have further strengthened our resolve to build a sustainable pathway from the grassroots to the global podium.”
Hon. Adeboye expressed confidence that Team Nigeria would continue to build on its impressive performances as the Commonwealth Games progress, urging the athletes to remain focused and assuring them of the unwavering support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Sports Commission, and millions of Nigerians cheering them on from home and across the world.
