Shaibu hails Team Nigeria's Glasgow performance

Shaibu hails Team Nigeria's Glasgow performance

The Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, NIS, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has commended Team Nigeria for its outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, describing the outing as a national statement of resilience, discipline and renewed pride.

Team Nigeria finished seventh overall and emerged Africa’s best, a feat Comrade Shaibu said reflects the value of early preparation, proper welfare, and hitch-free back-up exercise for the athletes.

“What we saw in Glasgow was not accident. It was the product of planning,” Shaibu stated. “Our athletes went there confident because the handlers did the work early. From camping, to kits, to medicals and logistics, there were no last-minute embarrassments. That is how you raise champions.”

The former Edo State Deputy Governor praised the coaches, technical crew, medical team, and sports administrators for shielding the athletes from distractions and allowing them to focus on winning for Nigeria.

“When you treat athletes like professionals, they will give you professional results. Glasgow showed that when Nigeria prepares well, Nigeria wins well. The medals in athletics, weightlifting, wrestling, boxing and para sports all point to one truth: we have talent, and when we back that talent, Africa will follow our lead,” he said.

Comrade Shaibu noted that finishing as Africa’s best while placing seventh globally should energize government, private sector and sports-loving Nigerians to invest more in grassroots development and facilities.

“This is the momentum we must not waste. Let us build more tracks, more gyms, and more academies. Let us pay our coaches and athletes on time. Let us make sports a serious business of nation building,” he added.

He congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing leadership that prioritizes youth and sports, and thanked the Minister of Sports for coordinating a seamless process.

“To Team Nigeria: you have made us proud. You carried the green-white-green with honour. You have told the world that the Nigerian spirit is alive. Onward to the next Games. Nigeria is ready,” Shaibu concluded.