The National Sports Commission (NSC) has disbursed N200 million in training grants to 26 athletes as part of preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place in Glasgow, Scotland.
The commission confirmed the development in a statement released on Tuesday, explaining that the grants were awarded to top performing athletes selected from both foreign based and home based categories across different sports.
According to the NSC, the beneficiaries were chosen after a detailed assessment carried out by the Elite and Podium Board following what it described as a rigorous and professional evaluation process. The commission, however, did not disclose the identities of the athletes who received the grants.
Director general of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, said the initiative reflects the commission’s commitment to athlete welfare as Nigeria builds towards the Commonwealth Games. “The training grants disbursed to 26 athletes across different sports followed a careful and professional selection process by the Yusuf Ali led Elite and Podium Board. This is our way of reassuring our athletes that their welfare remains our utmost priority,” he said.
Olopade added that proper support for athletes remains central to the commission’s vision. “I often say that when we take care of our athletes, they will take care of the country by winning medals. Under the chairmanship of Mallam Shehu Dikko, the NSC will continue to explore ways to enhance athlete welfare so that they can consistently perform at their best while representing the nation.”
The grant disbursement comes shortly after President Bola Tinubu directed that all funds allocated to sports in the national budget should be released immediately once the budget is passed and signed into law. In December, the president presented a N58.18 trillion 2026 appropriation bill to the National Assembly, with more than N210 billion earmarked for the National Sports Commission.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to run from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, with the NSC indicating that further support measures will follow as preparations intensify.
