The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has delivered President Bola Tinubu’s message of encouragement to Team Nigeria ahead of the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, urging the athletes to compete with pride and secure strong results.
Olopade spoke to the athletes and officials on Friday after their final training session, emphasising the importance of the championship both as a major international competition and as a qualification pathway for future global events.
He noted that athletics remains one of Nigeria’s most productive sports, consistently contributing to national development and international recognition. He also recalled his long-standing involvement 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 stressed that the World Relays hold special significance in Nigeria’s sporting calendar, particularly due to the qualification opportunities they present for world championships.
“The relays are a big deal because Nigeria at every major multi-sport competition always looks 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 President Tinubu’s message, he urged the athletes to compete with determination and a sense of national duty.
“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 NSC, Shehu Dikko, who wished the team success at the competition.
Nigeria, which has previously won a bronze medal in 2014 and a gold medal in 2015 at the World Relays, will compete in all six events at this year’s edition as they target qualification slots for major global championships.
