NOC advocates early preparation for Los Angeles 2028 for podium finish

President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, has urged the Federal Government, the private sector, and other stakeholders to help the nation’s athletes begin preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The Nigerian contingent to the just-concluded Paris 2024 Olympics returned to the country, on Monday, without winning a single medal at the Games.
To forestall a repeat of the poor outing in Paris, Gumel said the country must begin preparations for the 2028 Games now, just as he called for forensic analysis of the country’s performance “and revisit fundamental principles.”

Gumel said: “Witnessing fellow African nations like Botswana achieve historic milestones at these Games underscores the importance of long-term strategic development for our athletes, emphasising the necessity for strong collaboration and a clear understanding of the various roles within the Olympic family, including partners and the government.

“Recognising that timely funding plays a pivotal role in securing podium success at the Olympic Games is crucial. Without interruption, it necessitates continuous engagement with athletes, technical experts, professional administrators, and stakeholders throughout the four-year cycle.

“Moreover, as integral components of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, the national sports federations should be empowered to consistently prepare athletes, conduct training sessions, and organise qualification events that nurture sporting talents capable of reaching podium finishes.”

He also urged the government and sporting federations to ensure the participation of the national teams in major tournaments such as the Commonwealth Games, the African Games, the Youth Games, the World Championships, and others, saying that they are crucial to the preparations for the Olympic Games.

He disclosed that the NOC has over the years consistently provided scholarships, grants, coaching, and refereeing courses through the IOC, Olympic Solidarity, and ANOCA sources to the country’s athletes and administrators.

“Looking ahead, we advocate for early preparation and adequate funding as the critical solution, urging the government to implement a comprehensive sports-related concept and target grassroots development programmes in schools and colleges. This should also encompass the training and certification of sports managers (coaches, referees, administrators, etc).

“It is recommended that the nation kick-starts preparations for the next Olympics promptly, with the cooperation of all stakeholders, the government, and notably the private sector, so that we can achieve podium success at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028,” he said.