The National Sports Commission (NSC) has declared that it remains focused on its journey to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, dismissing what it calls 'side talks' and affirming that its progress is smooth and steady. The NSC's Head of Elite Athletes and Podium Board, Yusuf Ali, shared this stance with The Guardian on Friday, responding to recent concerns raised by a high-profile sports administrator about Nigeria's lack of preparation for the 2028 Olympics.
Response to Criticism
The administrator had alleged that the NSC lacks a clear roadmap for success leading up to the Los Angeles Olympics. He criticized the practice of scouting players abroad while neglecting grassroots development at home, stating that this approach does not build a sustainable sports system. He also claimed that individuals who contributed to the system's deterioration remain in key positions.
Ali, a three-time Olympian whose national long jump record of 8.27 meters set in 1989 remains unbroken, stated that the NSC is not interested in exchanging words with those who see no value in its operations. 'There is no need exchanging words with individuals at this stage of our preparations for both the Commonwealth Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games,' Ali said. 'What I can tell you is that our flight to the Games is moving on smoothly and steadily.'
Preparations and Achievements
Ali emphasized that the Olympics require three to four years of preparation and expressed gratitude that President Bola Tinubu provided the NSC with the necessary tools to start early. He highlighted the establishment of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) team, which comprises young athletes selected from various fields across the country. These athletes are already making waves and are part of Nigeria's hope for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
'How can someone say that the NSC cannot continue to scout players abroad while neglecting grassroots development at home? That is funny,' Ali remarked. He pointed to the achievements of the IJA team, noting that three members—Ezechukwu Miracle, Rosemary Chigozie Nwakwo, and Obi Jenifer—were part of Team Nigeria at the World Relays in Botswana, where they secured four relay tickets. Additionally, the IJA team contributed four athletes—Favour Cornelius, Ezenwa Esther Chidalu, Ezenwa Chinaza Cecilia, and Olarinoye Florence Oluwadamilare—to Nigeria's squad at the 2026 Oceania Weightlifting Championships in Apia, Samoa, where they competed against over 500 elite athletes from more than 70 countries and won medals.
Ali also highlighted other young athletes performing exceptionally well globally, supported by NSC grants. He cited Samuel Ogazi, who ran a blistering 44.02 seconds in the 400 meters, breaking Innocent Egbunike's 39-year-old record of 44.17 seconds set in August 1987 in Zurich. He also mentioned Rosemary Chukwuma, who continues to make Nigerians proud in sprint events. 'How else do we need to prepare our athletes for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics? As I said earlier, the NSC won't trade words with any individual who does not believe in our preparations for the Games,' Ali added.
Commonwealth Games Target
Meanwhile, the Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, announced that the commission is targeting 22 gold medals at this year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. 'From our preparations, I am confident Team Nigeria can even surpass our internal projections to win as many as 22 gold medals,' Olopade said. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Team Nigeria recorded its most successful outing with a total of 35 medals—12 gold, nine silver, and 14 bronze—finishing seventh overall. Olopade noted that while the Elite Athletes Podium Finish team is aiming for 18 gold medals, he believes they can push beyond that to 22. He attributed the strengthened preparations to reforms under NSC chairman Shehu Dikko and backing from President Bola Tinubu. 'What do you expect from an alarmist? Only a blind person will not see the progress being made in Nigeria sports,' Olopade concluded in a message to The Guardian.
