By Ben Efe 20.7.2026
Nigerian athletes preparing for the 2026 Commonwealth Games have been fired up by the National Sports Commission with the promise to pay an instant $5000 for any gold medal won.
NSC chairman Shehu Dikko and director-general Bukola Olapade made the promise when they paid the athletes a visit ahead of ther departure to Glasgow on July 23 from Aberdeen.
Hurdler Tobi Amusan had made the request stressing that such a gesture will boast their morals and motivate them to go for gold.
Without much ado Mr. Dikko agreed to the request and hiked the winning bonus from $3000 to $5000.
Also sprinter Kanyinsola Ajayi was handsomely reward for breaking the national 100m record and recently boosting the country imagine at the London Diamond League.
Interestingly powerlifter Folasade Oluwafumiayo who broke a world record during training was also patted on the back with an envelope.
Speaking to the coaches later in the evening, Olapade urged them to work harder and ensure that their athletes are in the best condition to compete.
He said there would be a reward for any coach whose athlete delivered gold.
Nigeria Coaches Association president and athletics throw coach Gabriel Opuana thumbs up the NSC bigwigs for their kind gesture.
” We the coaches and athletes have been given all that we requested for and now we have no excuse not to perform.
“We are grateful to the NSC chairman and director-general for dropping into the camp to see what we are doing. This a great departure from the past.
“Everything about the camping exercise has been top notch and Yusuf Alli has done a marvelous job getting athletes to training venues and back right on schedule.”