Nigeria Athletes Commission chairman, Oyedeji hails Team Nigeria, defends Commonwealth Games performance

Nigeria Athletes Commission chairman, Oyedeji hails Team Nigeria, defends Commonwealth Games performance

The Chairman of the Nigeria Athletes Commission (NAC), Olumide Oyedeji, OLY, has commended Team Nigeria and the National Sports Commission (NSC) for their performance at the Commonwealth Games.

Oyedeji, while reflecting on Nigeria’s campaign, described the athletes’ showing as commendable and urged Nigerians to consider the circumstances surrounding the country’s medal haul before concluding that the team underperformed.

He made this known in an exclusive interview.

Nigeria won 10 gold medals at the Games, two fewer than the 12 gold medals recorded at the previous edition.

However, Oyedeji pointed out that Nigeria did not participate in wrestling, a sport that accounted for three of the country’s gold medals at the previous Games.

“Count how many gold medals we had before and how many we have now. We had 12 gold medals before, and we have 10 gold medals now,” he said.

“We didn’t go with wrestling, and wrestling was our three gold medals. So how can you say that we didn’t do well?”

He also highlighted Nigeria’s performances in other sports, particularly boxing, where he claimed the country was denied favourable results in two categories.

The Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) also commended the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director-General, Chief Bukola Olopade, for their support towards the team’s preparations, including the provision of training camps.

“I must commend the National Sports Commission and the Nigerian athletes. I also commend the coaches and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Oyedeji said.

“I must also thank the President for making it possible and for the support that he has for the athletes.”

He further acknowledged the contributions of supporters who rallied behind Team Nigeria during the competition, singling out Shaibu Phillips for special recognition.

“I must give Shaibu Phillips a shout-out for the support of all the athletes, for being there and supporting them everywhere,” he said, while also appreciating everyone who supported Team Nigeria.

Oyedeji, who is also a member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, praised federation presidents and team managers for their roles in preparing and supporting the athletes before and during the Games.

Despite concerns over preparations in the build-up to the competition, he maintained that the athletes and officials deserved commendation for their efforts and achievements.

With Nigeria securing 10 gold medals despite its absence from wrestling, Oyedeji the leading candidate to succeed Engineer Musa Kida as NBBF President, argued that the country’s Commonwealth Games performance should be assessed within the proper context rather than judged solely by the overall medal tally.