By Bashir Bello, Abuja
With just five days to the opening of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Team Nigeria’s para athletes are set to make history as the first gold medal of the Games will be decided in Para Powerlifting.
This was contained in a press release signed by Kola Daniel, S.A. Media, Office of the Director General, National Sports Commission and made available to newsmen in Abuja.
According to the statement, the first gold medal of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will be decided on Friday, July 24, 2026, at the SEC Armadillo in Para Powerlifting, where Nigeria’s reigning women’s heavyweight champion, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, is among the leading contenders.
Para Powerlifting will officially produce the first of the 215 gold medals to be awarded during the Games. Competition will hold in two sessions: 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time, featuring some of the world’s best para athletes.
The event will be contested across eight weight categories. The men’s events range from 60kg to over 110kg, while the women’s events will feature lifters from 48kg to over 86kg.
The NSC noted that Nigeria heads into the Games with high expectations following outstanding performances by its para powerlifters on the international stage. Oluwafemiayo is widely regarded as one of the country’s brightest medal prospects as she seeks to add another Commonwealth title to her illustrious career.
In a bid to boost team morale, the National Sports Commission recently unveiled an enhanced reward package for Team Nigeria athletes competing at Glasgow 2026.
Under the approved incentive structure, every gold medalist will receive an instant cash reward of $3,000*, while silver and bronze medalists will earn $2,000 and $1,000 respectively. Coaches of medal-winning athletes will also receive corresponding cash rewards.
In addition, medal-winning athletes will receive separate performance bonuses paid directly into their bank accounts: $5,000 for gold, $3,000 for silver, and $2,000 for bronze.
The Commission said the package underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to rewarding excellence and motivating Team Nigeria to deliver another memorable Commonwealth Games campaign.
