By Ado Salisu
Former world and Olympic wrestling champion, Daniel Igali, has expressed confidence in Team Nigeria’s prospects at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, while commending the National Sports Commission (NSC) for prioritising athletes’ welfare ahead of the competition.
Igali, who is currently the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, said the preparations so far indicate that Nigeria is well-positioned to compete strongly at the Games, largely due to improved attention to athletes’ welfare and readiness.
“From all the information available, I believe there are genuine reasons to be optimistic about Team Nigeria’s prospects at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games,” Igali said.
The Olympic gold medallist praised the leadership of the NSC, particularly Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Honourable Bukola Olopade, for creating an environment that allows athletes to concentrate on delivering results.
“I must commend the leadership of the National Sports Commission, particularly the Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Honourable Bukola Olopade, for the attention they have given to athlete welfare and the team’s preparations,” he said.
“Reports indicate that the athletes arrived in the United Kingdom early enough for proper acclimatisation, while allowances and other welfare arrangements have been addressed in good time.
“As a former athlete, I can say these are not small matters. When athletes are free from welfare concerns, they are able to focus entirely on performance.”
Igali said the atmosphere within Team Nigeria’s camp has been encouraging, with athletes showing motivation and mental readiness for the challenge ahead.
However, he noted that while the final stages of preparation have been impressive, sustained planning remains key to success at major international competitions.
“The one area I cannot fully assess from outside the technical setup is the quality of the preparation that preceded the final camp, because success at this level is built over many months through quality coaching, sound planning, sports science and consistent international competition,” he explained.
The Bayelsa commissioner identified athletics, weightlifting and para sports as Nigeria’s strongest medal prospects, while tipping boxing to produce possible surprises.
“Nigeria’s strongest medal prospects, in my view, lie in athletics, weightlifting and the para sports, which have consistently delivered for our country on the international stage.
“Boxing also has the potential to produce positive surprises. Weightlifting, in particular, has remained one of Nigeria’s most dependable medal-winning sports, and I will be following the team with special interest.”
Igali also expressed pride in Bayelsa’s contribution to Team Nigeria, wishing the state’s athletes — Abayomi Adeyemi, Favour Agboro, Ruth Ayodele, Adedapo Opadeji and sprint sensation Tima Godbless — success in Glasgow.
“They have earned their places through hard work and merit, and I hope they make both Nigeria and Bayelsa proud,” he said.
Despite his optimism, Igali cautioned against putting unnecessary pressure on athletes through medal projections, stressing that elite competitions are often determined by narrow margins.
“While it is tempting to make medal predictions, I prefer not to place unnecessary pressure on the athletes. Major championships are often decided by the finest of margins.
“The draw, an untimely injury, officiating decisions, weather conditions, recovery between events, or simply who performs best on the day can all determine whether an athlete stands on the podium or narrowly misses out.”
He urged Nigerians to judge the team’s performance beyond medals, adding that discipline, commitment and national pride should also be considered measures of success.
“Our athletes should be judged not only by the number of medals they win, but also by the quality of their performances, the discipline they display and the pride with which they represent Nigeria,” he said.
Igali concluded that Team Nigeria had been provided with a solid platform to succeed, urging athletes and technical crews to convert the support into podium performances.
“Overall, the indicators are encouraging. The welfare arrangements, the early arrival for acclimatisation and the positive atmosphere within the camp suggest that the athletes have been given a good platform to succeed.
“The responsibility now rests with the athletes and the technical teams to convert that support into performances that will make Nigeria proud.
“I wish every member of Team Nigeria the very best. They carry the hopes of millions of Nigerians, and I have every confidence that they will give their all for our country.”
