Team Nigeria departs Aberdeen for Glasgow ahead of Commonwealth Games

The first contingent of Team Nigeria athletes and officials has departed their pre-Games training camp in Aberdeen, Scotland, for the host city of Glasgow, with only three days remaining before the start of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. A second batch is scheduled to move into the Games Village on Friday, July 24, joining teammates already present for the initial days of competition.

This phased movement follows weeks of intensive training and acclimatization in Aberdeen. During this period, Team Nigeria fine-tuned preparations for the major sporting event. The National Sports Commission provided comprehensive technical, medical, and welfare support, aiming to ensure the contingent arrives in Glasgow in peak physical condition. Sprinter Favour Ashe lauded the commission for the quality of the camp, confirming that allowances were paid in full ahead of the Games.

"The camp has been excellent. Our allowances have been paid in full, the facilities are world-class, and the feeding is of a very high standard. The National Sports Commission has done a fantastic job in ensuring we have everything we need to prepare for the Commonwealth Games," Ashe stated. He added that these arrangements allowed athletes to concentrate solely on their preparations without the distraction of unresolved welfare issues.

Former world and Olympic wrestling champion Daniel Igali echoed similar sentiments in a previous interview, commending the leadership of the National Sports Commission. Team Nigeria's medal prospects have been bolstered by strong recent continental and international performances. Notably, world record holder Tobi Amusan joined the Aberdeen camp last week after a consistent Diamond League season, securing her spot in the season-ending final in Brussels. Amusan, aged 29, is aiming for her third consecutive Commonwealth 100m hurdles title, having won gold in 2018 and 2022, and enters Glasgow as the favorite after defending her African title earlier this year.

However, Nigeria's preparations faced a setback with the withdrawal of long jump star Ese Brume due to injury, ending her bid to defend the title she won with a Games record leap of 7.00m at the previous Games. Ruth Usoro has been drafted into the squad to replace Brume and will compete alongside Prestina Ochonogor in the women's long jump.

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The camp has been excellent. Our allowances have been paid in full, the facilities are world-class, and the feeding is of a very high standard. The National Sports Commission has done a fantastic job in ensuring we have everything we need to prepare for the Commonwealth Games.