The National Sports Commission has unveiled plans to organise open trials in the United Kingdom for Nigerian athletes in the diaspora as part of efforts to strengthen talent discovery and development for the country’s national teams.
It was gathered that the initiative, tagged the Invited Diaspora Athletes Programme, is aimed at integrating foreign-based Nigerian talents into the nation’s sports system while providing them with a clear pathway to represent the country.
The programme will also serve as a selection platform for the newly introduced Nigerian Intermediate Games, designed to bridge the developmental gap between youth and elite competitions.
Speaking on Friday, the Director-General of the commission, Bukola Olopade, said the move formed part of a deliberate and long-term strategy to reposition Nigerian sports and ensure that no promising athlete is left behind.
“What we are doing at the National Sports Commission is not by chance; it is a carefully designed pathway to sporting excellence,” Olopade said.
“From identifying talents at the grassroots through the Invited Junior Athletes Programme to opening opportunities for our diaspora athletes, and now introducing the Intermediate Games, we are building a sustainable structure for future champions.”
He explained that the Intermediate Games would cater for athletes between the ages of 17 and 19, a category often overlooked in the transition from junior to senior levels.
Olopade added that the broader objective was to establish a well-defined progression system for athletes, ensuring seamless movement from development stages to elite competition.
“Our goal is to make sure every athlete has a clear pathway to reach top performance levels and proudly represent Nigeria on the global stage,” he stated.
As part of the diaspora-focused plan, about 200 Nigerian athletes based abroad are expected to participate in the UK trials scheduled for May.
The commission noted that the initiative builds on the gains of the Invited Junior Athletes Programme, which has already produced emerging talents progressing from grassroots competitions to international platforms.
It added that while younger athletes between ages 10 and 16 are currently engaged through the National Youth Games and elite performers feature at the National Sports Festival, the new structure is intended to close the gap between both levels and enhance continuity in athlete development.
