Nigeria’s sports authorities have expressed strong confidence in Team Nigeria’s chances at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with officials projecting a haul of between 16 and 20 gold medals.

The optimism was expressed during the official unveiling of the national team ahead of the competition.

Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, Comrade Philip Shaibu, said the athletes have enjoyed better and earlier preparations than in previous competitions, and noted that all necessary logistics, including training and travel arrangements have been provided, leaving the athletes with the responsibility of delivering success for the country.

Shaibu said the commitment, determination and quality displayed by the athletes have convinced him that Nigeria can achieve at least 20 gold medals at the Games.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts by the National Institute for Sports to strengthen grassroots sports development and expand talent discovery across the country.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, stated that preparations for the Games began long before the competition through talent identification and strategic planning.

According to him, the team will arrive in Glasgow about 20 days before the opening of the Games to allow athletes acclimatize and improve their performance.

Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission Director-General, Bukola Olopade, explained that the medal projections are based on careful planning and sustained preparation over the past year and a half. He said the Commission remains committed to providing the support needed for athletes to achieve the country’s targets.

Olopade, however, warned that indiscipline would not be tolerated within Team Nigeria, stressing that athletes must adhere to the Commission’s rules and resolve concerns through official channels, and warned that misconduct or actions capable of damaging the team’s image could attract sanctions, including expulsion from the contingent.

FC Barcelona have extended Danish defender Andreas Christensen’s contract until June 2028, the Spanish champions said Wednesday.

The 30-year-old centre-back, whose previous deal expired at the end of June, has been frequently sidelined by injuries during his time at Camp Nou.

The defender has accepted a significant pay cut to stay at the club, according to Spanish reports.

The Denmark international played a key part in Barcelona’s La Liga triumph in his debut campaign at the club in 2022 after arriving from Chelsea.

Christensen has played 98 times for Barca, winning three La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey among other trophies.

Former Super Eagles defender and Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo has stepped down as the Saudi Pro League’s chief football executive.

The Saudi Pro League confirmed on Tuesday that Emenalo, who also headed the league’s Player Acquisition Center of Excellence (PACE), will leave at the expiration of his contract after joining the organisation in 2023.

In a statement, the Saudi Pro League thanked Emenalo for his contributions and wished him success in his future endeavours.

Reflecting on his tenure in a statement to The Athletic, Emenalo described the league’s transformation as an “audacious ambition” that many initially believed was unattainable.

“When I joined SPL’s transformation journey in 2023, what struck me most was the audacity of its ambition. We set out to do something few believed possible, on a timeline fewer still thought realistic,” he said.

He added that his team had established the structures and standards needed to sustain the league’s long-term growth.