The National Sports Commission (NSC) says it won’t be distracted by ‘side talks’ on its journey to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics Games, adding, “our journey to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics is smooth and steady.”

The NSC’s Head of Elite Athletes and Podium Board, Yusuf Ali told The Guardian on Friday.

Ali’s comment came following the recent alarm raised by a high profile sports administrator in the country over ‘Nigeria’s lack of preparation’ for the 2028 Olympics.

The administrator had alleged that the NSC does not have a clear roadmap for success in the build up to the Los Angeles Olympics.

“We cannot continue to scout players abroad while neglecting grassroots development at home. That is not how to build a sustainable sports system,” he said, alleging that individuals who contributed to the deterioration of the system remain in key positions.

However, Ali, a three time Olympian, whose national Long Jump record of 8.27m set in 1989 still remain unbroken, said that the NSC is not ready to trade words with individuals who does not see anything good 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 Olympics Games,” Ali said. “What I can tell you is that our flight to the Games is moving on smoothly and steadily.

“The Olympics Games requires three to four years of preparations, and I am glad President Bola Tinubu gave the NSC all the needed apparatus to start early. Even before the last National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, the NSC already had its plan by putting in place the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) team. These are young athletes selected from various fields across the country. They are making waves today, and they 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.
“Now, look at the achievement of the IJA team within a short period. Three of them were part of Team Nigeria to the World Relays in Botswana, where they got four relay tickets. The trio of Ezechukwu Miracle, Rosemary Chigozie Nwakwo and Obi Jenifer competed in Botswana. They came from athletics. Also, the IJA team contributed four athletes to Nigeria’s squad that competed at the 2026 Oceania Weightlifting Championships in Apia, Samoa. They are Favour Cornelius, Ezenwa Esther Chidalu, Ezenwa Chinaza Cecilia and Olarinoye Florence Oluwadamilare. They competed with over 500 elite athletes from more than 70 countries. They did very well in Samoa, winning some medals.”

Speaking further, Ali said: “Away from the IJA team, we have young athletes who are currently performing wonders across the globe. The NSC pay them grants in the build up to Los Angeles Olympics. Look at what Samuel Ogazi just did in the 400m. He ran a blistering 44.02 seconds to break Innocent Egbunke’s 39 years old 400m record of 44.17 seconds, which he (Egbunike) set in August 1987 in Zurich. The likes of Rosemary Chukwuma are also making Nigerians proud in the sprint. 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.”

Meanwhile Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, says the NSC is targeting 22 gold medals in this year’s Commonwealth Games holding 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, comprising 12 gold, nine silver and 14 bronze, to finish seventh overall.

“Although, the Elite Athletes Podium Finish team is looking at 18 gold medals, I think we will push beyond that to 22,” Olopade said, explaining that reforms under the leadership of NSC chairman Shehu Dikko, alongside backing from President Bola Tinubu, had strengthened preparations across multiple levels.

“What do you expect from an alarmist? Only a blind person will not see the progress being made in Nigeria sports,” Olopade said in a message to The Guardian.