NSC to Hold Trials for 600 Diaspora Athletes Ahead of National Games
- Apr 21
- 2 min read
Nigeria’s sports authorities have announced plans to organise large-scale trials for hundreds of athletes of Nigerian descent living abroad, as part of efforts to deepen talent development and national representation.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, disclosed that about 600 diaspora-based athletes are expected to take part in the selection process.
According to him, the initiative will create opportunities for these athletes to feature in upcoming national competitions, including the National Intermediate Games scheduled to take place in Lagos and the National Sports Festival tagged Coal City 2026.
He explained that the move is designed to strengthen ties between Nigeria and its global sporting community while building a stronger pipeline of athletes capable of representing the country internationally.
Olopade also highlighted recent efforts to improve athlete welfare, noting that financial support has been extended to both elite and emerging talents. He revealed that top athletes have received significant grants, while younger competitors have also been supported with substantial funding to aid their development.
Beyond direct funding, the commission has taken steps to support the education of promising athletes, covering school fees for selected individuals as part of a broader long-term investment strategy.
He credited ongoing reforms in the sports sector to sustained government backing under Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that consistent funding has enabled the commission to rebuild structures and refocus on sustainable growth.
The NSC boss stressed that grassroots development remains central to the country’s sporting ambitions, pointing to rising talents such as Rosemary Nwankwo, Miracle Ezechukwu, and Jacinta Lawrence as examples of progress from youth programmes.
He added that initiatives like the Invited Junior Athletes scheme are helping to identify and nurture future stars, ensuring a steady transition from grassroots levels to elite competition.
Comments