Tinubu charges Team Nigeria for World Relays success

The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s message of support to Team Nigeria ahead of the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, urging the athletes to compete with pride and deliver strong performances, Saturday PUNCH reports.

Olopade addressed the athletes and officials on Friday following their final training session in Botswana, stressing the importance of the competition both as a major event and as a qualification pathway for future global championships.

He highlighted the significance of athletics to Nigeria’s sporting success, noting its consistent contribution to national development and international recognition, while also reflecting on his personal experience with the competition.

“Athletics have always been one of the most productive sports for our country in terms of empowerment and capacity building. And on a personal level, this particular championship is my fourth World Relay that I am attending, long before I became the NSC DG,” he said.

Olopade further underlined the importance of the relays within Nigeria’s sporting culture, describing them as a focal point at major multi-sport events and emphasising the qualification stakes attached to the competition.

“The relays are a big deal because Nigeria at every major multi sport competitions always look forward to the relays. As you know this is not just about this relay because it is a qualifier for the World Championship,” he added.

Delivering the President’s message, Olopade urged the athletes to compete with determination and a strong sense of responsibility, calling on them to represent multiple layers of identity and expectation.

“I want to appeal to you athletes to do this for yourselves, for the country, for your various states and above all, do this for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. And the President’s words are always very clear, do well and come back to a grateful nation,” he said.

He also conveyed the goodwill of the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, who sent his best wishes to the team ahead of the competition.

“The Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko has also asked me to reach out to you all and he is wishing you well as you begin your competition,” Olopade said.

Nigeria have won only two medals at the event, a bronze in 2014 and gold in 2015, and they are among the few countries competing in all the six events at this edition, where qualification places for major global competitions are at stake.