2026 Commonwealth Games Tinubu Urges Team Nigeria To Compete With Courage, Honour, Integrity And Win Clean

2026 Commonwealth Games Tinubu urges Team Nigeria to compete with courage, honour, integrity and win clean President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged Team Nigeria to compete with courage, honour, discipline and integrity as the country prepares for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, urging athletes to ensure that all victories are achieved through clean sport and fair play. The President delivered the charge during a send-off ceremony held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where members of the national contingent were formally briefed ahead of their departure for the Games. Tinubu, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, told the athletes that they carry the hopes and expectations of millions of Nigerians and must represent the country with dignity on the global stage. He stressed that while winning medals is important, it must never come at the expense of integrity, insisting that “winning clean is more important than winning at all costs.”“Compete with courage, honour and integrity. Win clean. Let every medal you earn reflect discipline, hard work and the Nigerian spirit,” the President was quoted as saying. Tinubu also reminded the athletes that they are ambassadors of Nigeria’s image abroad, urging them to remain focused, avoid distractions and uphold the rules of international competition, particularly anti-doping regulations.

The President challenged Team Nigeria to surpass the country’s previous best performance at the Commonwealth Games, saying the Federal Government expects a stronger medal haul in Glasgow compared to earlier editions. He assured the athletes of continued government support, including improved sports funding, better preparation structures and strengthened anti-doping systems to ensure compliance with global standards. Tinubu also referenced recent reforms in Nigeria’s sports administration, including renewed investment in athlete development and institutional support aimed at improving performance and credibility in international competitions. Officials of the National Sports Commission NSC and other sports bodies at the ceremony expressed optimism that Team Nigeria is well-prepared for a strong outing in Glasgow, citing improved planning and early camping arrangements.

They noted that the team has undergone intensive preparation and is expected to compete across multiple sports with a strong medal target. Nigeria is expected to field a sizeable contingent across several sporting events at the Games, with expectations high following improved performances in recent international competitions. The 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, 2026, with Nigeria aiming to improve on its previous medal records.