Commonwealth Games show of shame…NSC official fight coaches over winning bonus, as politicians, government officials enjoy jamboree

By our reporter 5.8.2026
Onlookers watched with mouth agape as a National Sports Commission official engaged in a fist fight with coaches after they demanded to be adequately compensated for guiding Nigerian athletes to success at the recent 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Trouble started when the track and field coaches based on the fact that their athletes delivered three gold medals and they ought to be paid a “sweating” bonus as was agreed upon. They approached the NSC top echelon and asked why seven of them would be given $5000, whereas some other sports disciplines with two coaches were given the same amount.
Rather than handle the issue with tact one of the NSC officials blew his tops berating and punching one of the coaches severally, what could have been a free for all fight in full glare of guests and hotel staff was prevented when the coaches prevailed on their colleague not to retaliate.
The shouting match and shuffling were caught on the hotel CCTV and some of the staff were ready to call in the police but the coach who was assaulted decided to rest the matter.
“The NSC told the coaches there was no money to pay them what they demanded, but things escalated into a shouting match when this NSC official decided to verbally and physically assault the coaches,” said a sports official.
While the NSC told the coaches there was no money, there were lots of politicians and government officials who had absolutely nothing to do in Glasgow but were on hand to enjoy the jamboree at government expense.
“They even became a distraction to the athletes and coaches in the hotel they were lodged in.
“It was quite a show of shame despite the fact we are celebrating that we won many medals and placed seventh on the medals table above every other African.
“When you look from the angle that athletics power countries like Kenya and Botswana did not come with their A team you have to celebrate with restraint. “There is no money to train and prepare our athletes, run competitions and to encourage our coaches to keep working, but there is money to spend on government officials…it is quite a misplacement of priority.”