NSC To Host UK Trials For Nigerian Diaspora Athletes

NSC to hold UK trials for Nigerian diaspora athletes
200 athletes expected as part of talent development programme
Intermediate Games to bridge gap between youth and elite

The National Sports Commission has announced plans to hold open trials in the United Kingdom for Nigerian athletes in the diaspora as part of efforts to strengthen talent identification and development.

The initiative, known as the Invited Diaspora Athletes programme, is designed to integrate Nigerian born athletes based abroad into the country’s sporting system and create clearer pathways to national teams. Top performers from the trials will be considered for participation in the newly introduced Nigerian Intermediate Games.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Intermediate Games aim to bridge the development gap between youth and elite competitions, particularly for athletes aged 17 to 19.

Director General of the commission, Bukola Olopade, said the reforms form part of a long term strategy to reposition Nigerian sports and ensure no talent is overlooked.

“What we are doing at the National Sports Commission is not accidental, it is a deliberate, well structured pathway to sporting excellence,” Olopade said.

“From discovering talents at the grassroots through the Invited Junior Athletes programme, to opening doors for our diaspora talents, and now creating the Intermediate Games to bridge the development gap, we are building a sustainable pipeline for Nigeria’s future champions.”

He added that the goal is to establish a clear development structure for athletes at all levels, from youth to elite competition.

“Our goal is clear: to ensure that no talent is lost and that every athlete has a defined pathway to reach elite performance and represent Nigeria with pride on the global stage,” he said.

As part of the initiative, about 200 Nigerian athletes based abroad are expected to participate in the trials scheduled for May in the United Kingdom.

The commission said the programme builds on the success of the Invited Junior Athletes scheme, which has already produced emerging talents progressing from grassroots competitions to international development pathways.

The new framework is expected to strengthen continuity in athlete development and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness across multiple sporting disciplines.