Commonwealth Games: Athletes’ Welfare Remains Our Top Priority – Olopade

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to placing athletes’ welfare at the centre of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Olopade said the Commission’s newly announced free-to-air broadcast partnership with What Network was important, but stressed that ensuring Team Nigeria athletes receive the support they need remains the Commission’s foremost priority.

“This is not about television rights,” Olopade said. “This is not about corporate partnerships. This is not even about the Commission. This is about the athletes who will step onto that track, into that pool and onto that podium.”

According to him, the NSC has concluded plans for an improved welfare package for Team Nigeria, including enhanced daily allowances, comprehensive medical care and psychological support throughout the Glasgow Games.

Olopade acknowledged the challenges Nigerian athletes have faced at previous international competitions, including delayed allowances and inadequate training support, and vowed that such issues would not be repeated.

“We are committed to ensuring that no athlete travelling to Glasgow carries the burden of unpaid entitlements or inadequate preparation,” he said.

As part of its efforts to bring the Games closer to Nigerians, the NSC also announced a broadcast agreement with What Network, which will provide live coverage of the event on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), TVC and other terrestrial television stations, alongside online streaming platforms.

Coverage will begin with the Opening Ceremony on 23 July and will feature daily two-hour highlights programmes showcasing medal-winning performances, exclusive athlete interviews and behind-the-scenes content.

Olopade, however, maintained that the broadcast arrangement is only one aspect of a broader strategy aimed at improving the welfare and performance of Nigerian athletes.

“When we secured the broadcast rights, our first question was not about cost or channel distribution,” he explained. “Our first question was whether our athletes’ families would be able to watch them compete. That is what putting athletes first means.”

He added: “We are matching athlete resilience with institutional commitment. When a Nigerian athlete steps onto that track in Glasgow, they will be focused on one thing only — winning. Not unpaid allowances, not family worries and not inadequate preparation.”

Nigeria’s contingent for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is expected to include world record holder Tobi Amusan, sprinter Kayinsola Ajayi, shot put star Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, para powerlifting champion Folashade Oluwafemiayo and several other elite athletes competing across athletics, boxing, cycling, swimming, weightlifting and para sports.

The initiative reflects the NSC’s determination to improve athletes’ welfare while ensuring that millions of Nigerians can follow Team Nigeria’s campaign at the Commonwealth Games through free-to-air television and digital platforms.