Having performed well, our athletes to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games should come back home with pride and their heads raised high up.

Their performance in Glasgow as the highest ranked African country, finishing 5th on the overall medals table with 24 medals comprising 10 gold, 7 silver and 7 bronze should be a forerunner to the limitless opportunities and endless possibilities open to Nigeria in the 2028 Olympic Games in the United States of America.

Lessons learnt in Glasgow, should come in handy as they prepare for LA 2028, which presents a larger and stronger field, both in the number of participating countries and numerical strength of world class stars that will be on parade.

There is absolutely no time to waste, intense preparations for the greatest human spectacle, the Olympics, must start NOW!

Our dynamic and purpose-driven National Sports Commission (NSC) must not lower its guards, their new found impetus to rewrite the Nigerian sports story for good, must be put on the front burners in their drive to revamp, rejig and resuscitate our sports ecosystems.

One is exceedingly happy that not a single negative story emanated from the Nigerian camp in Glasgow.

We were not inundated by stories of non registration of athletes for their events, non payment of camp allowances, and general lukewarm attitude to athletes welfare, which used to dominate discussions at Nigeria’s global outing in time past.

Instead, we are all living witnesses to stories of enhanced motivation to the athletes and increased monetary rewards to those who excelled.

We are now witnessing an era of improved motivation, strong athletes welfare concerns, prompt payment of allowances and physical presence of our top officials at event venues as against the past when such officials would care less but instead, prefered to go on shopping sprees.

In addition, the decision to establish the Elite athlete podium finish body has really paid off handsomely.

This momentum should, and must be sustained for better outcomes.

To God be the glory that as it is, our Sport is gradually but steadily coming back to what it used to be and only our sustained commitment, determination, drive, courage, selflessness and uncommon patriotism can get us to the promised land.

Welcome back home, our gallant warriors and worthy ambassadors. You’ve earned your place in history and your best is yet to come.

Scripted by Hameed Adio OLY.