Nesiama backs Team Nigeria for podium success at 2026 Commonwealth Games

Posted : 23 June 2026

The Chairman of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) Technical Commission, Omatseye Nesiama, has expressed confidence that Team Nigeria will secure podium finishes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Nesiama spoke during the ongoing Commonwealth Games athletics trials organised by the AFN at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, where home-based and foreign-based athletes are competing for places on the national team.

He said the recent performances of Nigerian athletes across different competitions had been encouraging and reflected the country's readiness for the Games.

"It is good to have Nigerian athletes doing well all over now, especially as the Commonwealth Games is here," Nesiama said.

The veteran athletics administrator, however, stressed that proper preparation and athlete management would be key to converting potential into medals.

According to him, camping athletes before the Games would provide the right environment for focused preparation and improved performances.

"Putting the athletes in camp will help a lot because camping allows athletes to focus," he added.

Nesiama also urged close collaboration between the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), the National Sports Commission (NSC), and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) to ensure the team is adequately prepared.

He further advised that Nigerian athletes competing regularly on the international circuit, including the Diamond League, should be carefully managed to prevent burnout ahead of the Games.

"We should be careful in the management of those athletes," he said.

The former athlete also expressed confidence in the selection committee led by Yusuf Ali, noting that the panel would assemble a strong squad capable of maintaining Nigeria's proud tradition at the Commonwealth Games.

He added that the country's recent achievements in athletics suggested even more breakthrough performances could emerge before the competition begins.

Meanwhile, competition intensified on the second day of the trials, with 34 athletes featuring in the long jump event.

The day's standout performance came from African champion and 2018 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, who delivered an impressive display in the men's shot put event to underline his readiness for another successful outing on the international stage.

The collaborative efforts between sports federations and the implementation of strategic training camps will remain vital as Nigeria fine-tunes its roster. With veteran administrative backing and proven elite competitors leading the charge, the nation is positioned to build significant momentum heading into the global showpiece. The successful execution of these national trials sets a promising and determined benchmark for the upcoming international campaign in Glasgow.

Nesiama backs Team Nigeria for podium success at 2026 Commonwealth Games

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