By MUHYIDEEN JIMOH

President Bola Tinubu has urged Team Nigeria to compete with integrity and surpass the country’s best-ever Commonwealth Games performance at the 2026 edition in Glasgow, Scotland.

The President also warned athletes against doping, urging them to depend on talent, discipline and hard work to achieve success on the global sporting stage.

Tinubu gave the charge on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, while receiving Team Nigeria athletes and officials before their departure for the Games.

The President was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, during the farewell ceremony attended by sports administrators and government officials.

Tinubu recalled Nigeria’s record haul of 35 medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, challenging the contingent to establish a new national benchmark.

He reminded the athletes that millions of Nigerians would be following their performances with hope, pride and high expectations throughout the competition.

“Whenever our athletes wear the green and white, they carry the hopes, pride, prayers and expectations of over 200 million Nigerians,” he said.

The President stressed that sporting success should never come at the expense of integrity, insisting that clean victories carried greater value than medals obtained dishonestly.

“Winning is important, but winning clean is more important. Medals are valuable, but integrity is priceless,” he declared.

He urged the athletes to compete courageously while remaining faithful to fair play and the anti-doping rules governing international sports.

“Go to Glasgow and compete with courage, but also compete clean. Let your performance be driven by talent, training, discipline and the Nigerian fighting spirit,” he said.

Tinubu described the athletes as ambassadors representing Nigeria’s resilience, determination and excellence before the international community.

“You are not only going to Glasgow as competitors; you are going as ambassadors of our country, symbols of our resilience and representatives of the Nigerian spirit,” he said.

He encouraged them to showcase not only their sporting abilities but also the values that define the nation.

“You are not just exporting your talent; you are exporting the values of this great country,” the President added.

Tinubu commended the athletes, coaches, medical personnel, technical teams, administrators and officials whose efforts made Nigeria’s participation possible.

“I commend all our athletes, coaches, officials, medical personnel, technical teams and administrators who have worked hard to bring Team Nigeria to this stage,” he said.

The President also praised the National Sports Commission, the Nigerian Olympic Committee and other stakeholders for ensuring timely preparations.

“Preparations for these Games started early and in a more deliberate and organised manner, ensuring our athletes are properly prepared for optimal performance,” he said.

Tinubu said his administration had restructured sports funding to provide sustainable financial support and eliminate administrative challenges affecting athletes.

“Our athletes will not be distracted by avoidable administrative issues. They will focus on one thing only, representing Nigeria with honour and giving their very best,” he added.

The President further highlighted reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s anti-doping framework through legislation and institutional improvements.

“We are determined to build a sports system where our athletes can succeed without suspicion and where Nigeria is known for discipline, integrity and excellence,” he said.

Tinubu expressed confidence that Team Nigeria would exceed previous achievements and inspire future generations through outstanding performances.

“Our target is clear. We want Team Nigeria to surpass its best-ever Commonwealth Games performance and return with more medals, more honour and more inspiring stories,” he said.

Earlier, National Sports Commission Chairman, Shehu Dikko, assured the President that Team Nigeria was fully prepared for the challenge ahead.

Dikko said the athletes had completed an intensive closed camping programme designed to sharpen their readiness for the Games.

He pledged that the contingent would strive to surpass Nigeria’s previous best outing and make the nation proud.

National Sports Commission Director-General, Bukola Olopade, said the commission was expanding partnerships with the private sector to improve sports funding and professionalism.

Olopade explained that the initiative aligned with the Tinubu administration’s broader sports development agenda and long-term vision for Nigerian athletics.

Team Nigeria captain, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, thanked the President for his support and pledged that the athletes would justify the nation’s confidence.

Oluwafemiayo promised that the contingent would compete with discipline, win honours and serve as worthy ambassadors for Nigeria.

Nigeria will field 74 athletes competing in 10 sports at the Commonwealth Games scheduled for Glasgow from July 23 to Aug. 2. (NAN)

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