NSC increases Commonwealth Games bonuses
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has announced an increase in performance bonuses and instant cash rewards for Nigerian athletes competing at the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said the enhanced incentive package was approved after a meeting with the Commission's Director General to further motivate Team Nigeria.
Under the revised reward structure, gold medalists will now receive a total of $10,000, comprising $5,000 as an instant cash reward and $5,000 paid into their bank accounts. Silver medalists will earn $5,000 in total, with $2,000 paid instantly and $3,000 transferred to their accounts, while bronze medalists will receive $3,000, made up of $1,000 in instant cash and $2,000 paid into their accounts.
Dikko explained that the initial package for gold medal winners was $8,000, consisting of $3,000 in instant cash and $5,000 paid into their accounts, but was revised after his visit to the Nigerian contingent in Aberdeen.
"After meeting the team in Aberdeen, I decided to increase the instant cash reward to $5,000 as added motivation for all gold medal hopefuls," he said.
He clarified that all three Nigerian athletes who won gold medals on the previous day had already received $10,000 each, contrary to earlier reports that they were paid $8,000. He added that the two gold medalists from today, as well as the silver medalists, had also received their instant cash rewards of $5,000 and $2,000, respectively.
The NSC chairman also announced a performance incentive for coaches, revealing that any coach whose athlete wins a gold medal will receive a $5,000 bonus.
In addition, athletes are receiving a daily allowance of $200, while coaches are being paid $250 per day throughout the Games.
Dikko noted that the Commission has also introduced special discretionary bonuses in exceptional cases, citing the on-the-spot cash reward presented to Rilwan Idris, which he said helped inspire the athlete to improve from a potential bronze-medal finish to winning gold.
According to the NSC, the improved welfare and incentive package underscores its commitment to ensuring Team Nigeria remains motivated and fully supported throughout the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
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