Glasgow 2026: Olopade storms Aberdeen Camp as Team Nigeria steps up final preparations
"We are here because preparation is everything. Our athletes deserve the very best environment to train, recover and compete, and that is exactly what we have provided in Aberdeen. We want every member of Team Nigeria to remain focused because the nation believes in them, and we are confident they will make Nigeria proud in Glasgow," Olopade said.
Glasgow 2026: Olopade storms Aberdeen Camp as Team Nigeria steps up final preparations
Yinka Adeola
Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Chef de Mission of Team Nigeria to the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has arrived at the country’s pre-Games training camp in Aberdeen, Scotland, as preparations gather momentum for the multi-sport event billed for Glasgow later this month.
Olopade, who immediately inspected the camp’s training facilities and accommodation, also received athletes, coaches and officials arriving for the final phase of Team Nigeria’s build-up to the Games.
The NSC boss expressed satisfaction with the quality of facilities at the camp, saying the Commission deliberately chose Aberdeen to provide Nigerian athletes with a serene, high-performance environment for acclimatisation, technical training and recovery before the competition begins.
“We are here because preparation is everything. Our athletes deserve the very best environment to train, recover and compete, and that is exactly what we have provided in Aberdeen. We want every member of Team Nigeria to remain focused because the nation believes in them, and we are confident they will make Nigeria proud in Glasgow,” Olopade said.
He maintained that the Commission would sustain its athlete-centred policy throughout the Games by ensuring athletes and coaches are shielded from unnecessary distractions.
“Our responsibility is to eliminate every avoidable distraction and allow our athletes and coaches to concentrate fully on performance. We have planned meticulously, and I am pleased with what I have seen since arriving at the camp. The atmosphere is excellent, the facilities are first-class, and the athletes are in high spirits,” he added.
As of Friday night, 54 Nigerian athletes had arrived at the Aberdeen camp, with more members of the delegation expected to join the contingent over the weekend.
Among the early arrivals welcomed by the Director General were Team Nigeria captain and multiple Paralympic gold medallist Folashade Oluwafemiayo, sprint star Favour Ashe and quarter-miler Patience George-Okon.
The Nigerian contingent is expected to spend the next three weeks at the Aberdeen training base before departing for Glasgow, where the 2026 Commonwealth Games will hold from July 23 to August 2.
About 3,000 athletes from countries across the Commonwealth are expected to compete in 10 sports at the Games.
The development was disclosed in a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Kola Daniel.
