Team Nigeria secures 30 medals, sets new benchmark in Riyadh as Olopade hails performance as ‘exceptional’
Nigeria has achieved its finest outing yet at the Islamic Solidarity Games, finishing eighth on the overall medals table with a total of 30 medals.
This historic achievement places Nigeria as Africa’s second-best performer at the Games, while Turkey topped the standings.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) hailed the success as a validation of its new strategic direction, which focuses on sending only athletes with strong podium prospects to major international competitions.
This year alone, the NSC has supported more than 40 sports federations across disciplines such as taekwondo, swimming, cricket, para-powerlifting, and para-badminton, many of whom have delivered medals on the global stage.
Nigeria’s medal haul in Riyadh comprised 11 gold, 12 silver, and 7 bronze. Competing in seven sports, Taekwondo, Boxing, Athletics, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Para-Powerlifting, and Para-Athletics, the team secured medals in every discipline entered, an unprecedented outcome for the nation.
Weightlifting spearheaded the tally with 6 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze. Athletics followed with 2 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze, while Wrestling contributed 2 gold and 2 silver. Para-Powerlifting added 1 gold, Boxing and Para-Athletics each earned 1 silver, and Taekwondo rounded off the count with 1 bronze.
Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised the team’s exceptional performance.
‘It is not a coincidence that Nigeria won medals in every sport we participated in at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games. This achievement reflects the new direction we have taken in sports development.
‘After meeting with our team at the Commission and the Elite and Podium Board led by Yusuf Ali, we made a deliberate decision to bring only podium prospects to Riyadh and today, that decision has paid off.’
He emphasized that the Riyadh success sets a new benchmark for Nigeria’s international sporting ambitions.
‘From Boxing to Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Track and Field and Powerlifting, Nigeria secured medals in every sport we entered. This is the new benchmark at the National Sports Commission, guiding our preparations for upcoming competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and ultimately, the Olympics.’
