• NSC places athletes’ interest first

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President Tonobok Okowa has expressed confidence in the quality and depth of Team Nigeria’s athletics squad ahead of the commencement of athletics events at the ongoing Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games next week.

The athletics events, which will run from Monday, July 27 to Saturday, August 1 at Scotstoun Stadium, are expected to contribute significantly to Team Nigeria’s target of 16 gold medals at the Games.

Okowa, who is leading the AFN contingent, said the arrival of several top Nigerian athletes has strengthened the Federation’s belief that the seven-gold target was achievable.

“The number of top Nigerian athletes participating at the Games is encouraging. This is an excellent spirit, and it signals a new spirit for them to represent their fatherland at international competitions,’’ Okowa said.

He said the presence of 100m hurdles world record holder and defending Commonwealth champion Tobi Amusan, sprint sensation Kanyinsola Ajayi, Favour Ashe, Olympic 400m finalist Samuel Ogazi, Rosemary Chukwuma, shot put veteran Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and javelin thrower Chinecherem Nnamdi has further boosted Nigeria’s medal prospects.

“In camp, we also have US-based Alaba Akintola, Adekalu Fakorede, Udodi Onwuzurike, hurdler Nathaniel Ezekiel, Edidiong Okon Udo, Temitope Adeshina, Prestina Ochonogor, Ruth Usoro, veteran quartermiler Patience George-Okon, Chidera Ezeakor, Oyesade Oyetade, Obiageri Amaechi, Jessica Orji and Jami Schlueter,’’ he added.

Schlueter, who recently switched allegiance from England to Nigeria, is set to compete for the country for the first time, while teenage sensation Miracle Ezechukwu is also part of the squad.

“I feel very happy with the great spirit in camp, and we can easily meet our target of seven gold medals,’ Okowa said.

Nigeria’s strongest medal prospects are expected to come from the men’s 100m, 400m and 400m hurdles, while the country also has realistic chances in the decathlon, the men’s and women’s 4x100m relays and the mixed relays.

In the women’s events, Amusan will be aiming to successfully defend her 100m hurdles title, while Ella Onojuvwevwo and Temitope Adeshina are also considered strong contenders for gold.

Nigeria produced its best track and field performance in Commonwealth Games history at Birmingham 2022, when the athletics team delivered a record gold medal haul of five, two more than what the country won in 1990 in Auckland, New Zealand, 1994 in Victoria, Canada and 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has reiterated that its main priority is the interest of athletes.

According to the NSC, putting the interest of the athletes first at any major event will enable them to give their best.

“Our priority in the NSC is to protect the interest of our athletes first so that they can give their best, which is what we want, Director General of the NSC Bukola Olopade told The Guardian in Glasgow.

“Gone are the days when Nigeria take athletes to major competitions and treats them like orphans. The Presidency has good intentions for Nigerian sportsmen and women, and so, we have to create the enabling environment for them to excel,” Olopade stated.