NSC DG Olopade Lands in Gaborone to Boost Team Morale Ahead of 2026 World Athletics Relays

Joel Ajayi 

Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade has arrived in Gaborone, Botswana, to serve as a  major morale boost for Team Nigeria ahead of the 2026 World Athletics Relays, which starts on May 1.

The Nigerian contingent is in high spirits and fully prepared to compete in all six relay events in the capital city of Botswana.

Nigeria’s objective at the relays includes securing qualification slots for two major global competitions: the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing and the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

Further strengthening Team Nigeria’s lineup is the arrival of sprint star Favour Ashe, who is set to compete in both the men’s 4x100m relay and the mixed 4x100m relay. 

Ashe remains one of Nigeria’s elite sprinters, distinguished as one of the few active athletes from the country to have broken the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters.

Top sports administrators are also on ground to support the team, including Nigeria Olympic Committee Vice President, Chief Solomon Ogba and the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa.