Olopade: ‘We are not at Islamic Solidarity Games solely to win medals’
Bukola Olopade, Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), has declared that Team Nigeria’s participation at the ongoing 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh is not driven solely by the pursuit of medals.
Olopade, speaking to journalists at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium, applauded what he described as the outstanding performances of Nigerian athletes, noting that their exploits represent a promising pathway to podium success at future competitions such as the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.
He pointed out that several athletes, many of whom are competing in their first major international championship, have, in his estimation, exceeded expectations.
‘The Islamic Games have provided us with a valuable platform to showcase and develop our athletes, and we are making the most of it,’ Olopade said.
Emphasising the broader purpose of Nigeria’s participation, Olopade explained that the Games are not just about medal victories but about strategic development for Nigerian sports.
‘We are not here solely to win medals. Our primary aim is to create opportunities for talents identified at the National Sports Festival and to establish a platform for invited junior athletes as they progress towards national and international prominence,’ he stated.
Nigeria is ninth on the medal table with 20 medals made up of seven gold, nine silver and four bronze.
