The National Sports Commission (NSC), has announced plans to strengthen its partnership with global sportswear brand Puma following Team Nigeria’s impressive performance at the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, disclosed this during a World Press Conference held on Wednesday at the Team Nigeria Puma Afrobeat House in Glasgow, describing the collaboration with Puma as productive and beneficial to the country’s preparations for the Games.
Olopade said the Commission was encouraged by the success of the partnership and was ready to pursue a long-term relationship with the sportswear company ahead of future international competitions, including the Olympic Games.
According to him, Team Nigeria’s smooth preparations for the Commonwealth Games were made possible through the support of strategic partners such as Puma.
“Our intention from the outset has been to build an ecosystem driven by the economics of sports, in line with the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are pleased to have Puma as a partner that believes in our vision, and together we can achieve even greater success for Nigerian sports,” he said.
The NSC boss also said the Commission, under the leadership of Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, remains committed to improving athletes’ welfare and ensuring seamless preparations for major competitions.
He noted that athletes at the Glasgow Games had received their allowances, bonuses and rewards promptly, describing the initiative as part of efforts to establish lasting reforms in Nigerian sports administration.
Olopade paid tribute to former NSC Director Generals, Dr. Amos Adamu, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and Alhassan Yakmut, saying their contributions laid the foundation for the progress currently being recorded.
Expressing satisfaction with Team Nigeria’s performance so far, he described the Commonwealth Games as an important stepping stone towards the Olympic Games, where Nigeria hopes to surpass its previous achievements.
Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of PRL, Puma’s official partner in Nigeria, Ayo Amusan, said the company was delighted with its collaboration with Team Nigeria and looked forward to expanding the relationship.
Similarly, Puma’s Head of Team Sport, Bastien De Toledo, described the partnership as the beginning of a promising journey, expressing confidence in the future of Nigerian sports under the current NSC leadership.
The press conference attracted several prominent sports administrators, including President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel; Director General of the National Institute for Sports, Philip Shaibu; President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Tony Okowa; and President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul.
Also in attendance were former NSC Director Generals Dr. Amos Adamu, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and Alhassan Yakmut, who are serving as Team Nigeria Ambassadors at the Games. They commended the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade for the renewed direction of Nigerian sports.
