Athletes begin three-week camping in Aberdeen tomorrow

The National Sports Commission (NSC), yesterday named Shot Put star, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, as Team Nigeria’s men’s captain for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The announcement was in the wake of the team’s departure for a three-week training camp in Aberdeen.

The U.S.-based athlete will co-lead the Nigerian contingent with two-time Paralympic Champion, Folashade Oluwafemilayo, who had earlier been named women’s captain.

Enekwechi is a two-time African Championships and African Games champion, as well as the African record holder in the shot put (21.10m).

He is an Olympic Games and World Championships finalist, and a Diamond League finalist. At 33, he will be making his third Commonwealth Games appearance, aiming for gold after winning silver in 2018 and finishing fourth in 2022.

Speaking on the appointments, the Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, said the choice of both captains reflects the Commission’s vision to establish a clear mentorship pathway for young athletes.

“We have picked individuals who not only have strong track records in their various sports, but are also clear mentors to the young athletes for how they have sacrificially dedicated themselves to the country with utmost integrity and respect throughout their careers,” Olopade stated.

He emphasised: “The decision to pick them to lead Team Nigeria to the Commonwealth Games is to also let them know that the country appreciates them for all they have been doing to put the nation’s flag on the global map, and their labour will not be in vain, especially under the Renewed Hope Agenda for sports of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.’’

Team Nigeria is scheduled to depart the country tomorrow for a three-week training camp in Aberdeen, Scotland, ahead of the Games, which begin on July 23, 2026, in Glasgow.