Sports
Nigeria Targets Laurels At Commonweath Games
The High Performance
Director, National Sports Commission (NSC) Eric Campbell, said on Friday Nigeria had intensified effort in selecting a formidable team to win laurels at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Campbell told newsmen in Abuja that new strategies were being worked out to ensure the country excelled during the competition taking place in Glasgow, Scotland between July 23 and August 3.
“We are assisting with camping, with coaching, nutrition, the things that come along with high performances as well as the structures of the national championships and the selection process.
“Those things that we can have impact on from now to the time of the games.
“We are making sure that the correct team is being selected and being properly prepared.
“I know that the housing is available; we are using it for this camp. I know that some of the equipment have come in.
“It’s going to take some time for everything to be put in place and to let some of the old minds adapt to the new system.
“Once everyone gets on the same page I think things will begin to move a little faster but there have been some roadblocks.
“The physical part of the high performances is there but the theories are being put in place.
“So, those are some of the things that you will see and hopefully they will affect our performance at the Commonwealth Games,’’ Campbell said.
He gave the assurance that the 15 gold medals target set by the National Sports Commission (NSC) could be surpassed once the athletes adhered to instructions.
“The D-G (Gbenga Elegbeleye) is our leader. So, if he wants 15 gold then hopefully we can exceed that. I don’t think you will be going for a competition expecting to lose.
“To be specific and say gold medals is one thing for us; we want a new way of thinking that every single medal is important.
“Obviously, to get the gold is to say that you are the best of the best. That is what we want to happen but our goal is to go in and get more medals.
“So, if we do those things, we can really control the medal outcome,’’ he added.
The NSC hired Campbell and Angie Taylor on November 2, 2013 as its performance directors to assist Nigeria to achieve success in international competitions.
It was the first time that high performance directors were being engaged to oversee the development of elite sports in the country.
The first High Performance Centre in West Africa is being built by the NSC at the Package ‘B’ of the National Stadium, Abuja, as a science, based support system for elite athletes.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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