By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development and Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, has congratulated Team Nigeria on its impressive performance at the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, describing the achievement as proof that Nigeria’s sports development agenda is yielding positive results.
Dare, in a statement, said the country’s successful outing at the Games reflects the sustained reforms in the sports sector, noting that the National Sports Commission (NSC) has continued to build on the structures established during his tenure as Sports Minister between 2019 and 2023.
He congratulated the athletes, coaches and officials for their achievements, saying the team’s performance demonstrates that Nigeria is making steady progress in sports development.
“I join millions of Nigerians in congratulating our athletes, coaches and officials on their wonderful performance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. I am particularly delighted that the National Sports Commission is building on the foundation we laid, and the results are now manifestly clear with our impressive outing in Glasgow,” Dare said.
The former minister noted that Team Nigeria has successfully retained its position as Africa’s highest-ranked nation at the Commonwealth Games, a feat first reclaimed at the Birmingham 2022 Games after Nigeria’s historic fourth-place finish at the 1994 edition.
According to him, maintaining that status in Glasgow underscores the value of continuity, strategic investment and effective sports administration.
“We first recorded this encouraging turnaround in Birmingham in 2022 when Team Nigeria finished seventh overall and reclaimed its place as Africa’s top-performing nation at the Commonwealth Games. It is gratifying to see that the team has maintained that upward trajectory in Glasgow. This consistency shows that Nigeria is making steady progress in sports development and that sustained investment and continuity will continue to deliver positive results,” he said.
Dare also commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as the administration’s commitment to sports development through improved funding, institutional support and youth empowerment.
He said the Renewed Hope Agenda has boosted the confidence of Nigerian athletes and reinforced sports as a tool for national unity, youth development and international recognition.
The presidential aide further praised the leadership of the National Sports Commission, particularly Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade, for sustaining the momentum in the country’s sports sector.
“I congratulate Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade for keeping the flag flying high. They have shown commitment to consolidating on the progress already made, and I have no doubt that even greater successes await Nigerian sports,” he said.
Dare expressed optimism that Nigeria’s sporting future remains bright, stressing that continued government support, strong institutions and sustained investment in young athletes would enable the country to achieve greater success on the continental and global stage.
