Shaibu hails Team Nigeria's Commonwealth Games feat, calls for greater investment in sports
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has praised Team Nigeria for its remarkable performance at the Glasgow Games, describing the achievement as a moment of national pride and clear evidence of the country's growing sporting potential.
Shaibu said Nigeria's impressive campaign, which saw the team finish seventh overall and emerge as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games, was the product of strategic planning, early preparations, improved athlete welfare and a robust support system. According to him, the performance underscores what Nigerian athletes can accomplish when provided with the right environment and resources.
The NIS boss also commended the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its effective coordination of Nigeria's participation, noting that the seamless organisation before, during and after the competition played a vital role in boosting the athletes' confidence and overall performance.
The immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo State further acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, crediting the President's commitment to sports development with enhancing Team Nigeria's preparations and participation at the Games.
He said the President's backing had significantly boosted the morale of both athletes and officials, enabling them to compete successfully against the world's best.
Reflecting on the significance of the achievement, Shaibu said Nigeria's emergence as Africa's top-performing nation and seventh-best team globally should inspire increased investment in sports development across the country.
He called on governments at all levels, the private sector and other stakeholders to commit more resources to grassroots talent development, modern training facilities and sustainable athlete welfare programmes to sustain the country's upward trajectory.
Shaibu expressed confidence that with continued investment, effective planning and stronger collaboration among stakeholders, Nigeria could build on its recent success and establish itself as a dominant force in global sports.
He reaffirmed the National Institute for Sports' commitment to supporting policies and initiatives aimed at developing future champions and strengthening Nigeria's sporting excellence.
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