Yusuf Suleiman, minister of sports and chairman National Sports Commission (NSC), has revealed Team Nigeria’s target for next year’s London Olympics will be to put up a performance much better than the country’s cumulative performance in all previous editions of the Olympic Games. Thus far, Nigeria has only been able to win a total of 23 medals (2 gold, 9 silver and 12 medals) in all Olympic Games.

Speaking at a meeting with presidents and secretaries of different sport federations, Suleiman insisted that the 23 medals haul achieved by Team Nigeria over the years did not reflect the strength and quality of the sportsmen and women the country has.

‘I believe with adequate planning, we could surpass what we have cumulatively done during these periods. It is possible for us to win more than two gold medals in London Olympic Games. I called this meeting so that the presidents and secretaries will begin to strategize and harness our participation in order for the nation to benefit and come out tops at the London Games,’ he explained.

He charged athletes aspiring to make the Team Nigeria contingent for the London Olympic Games to brace up to the challenge, stressing that the nation would no longer take non performing athletes for any competition.

‘There is no need taking any athlete that will not win a medal for a competition. All those that did not win medals at the 10th All Africa Games in Maputo will not make Team Nigeria’s contingent to London Games,’ he reiterated.