NSC reaffirms commitment to supporting Elite Athletes, Grassroots Dev’t

By Amaechi Agbo

The Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria maximises the full potentials and qualities of its athletes both home and abroad for better podium placement at international competitions.

The DG re-emphasized this
when he paid a visit to the home of teenage track sensation, Annabelle Fasuba in the United Kingdom.

The DG said it is the desire of the Commission to have as many young Nigerian athletes in the Diaspora to continually identify with the country’s Sports project, and represent Nigeria at major International sports meets in a bid to revive and re-energise the fortunes of the nation as a major Sporting Country.

“Nigeria wants you and will make sure we give you all the support you need to get to the very top in your career”.

” This is one of the core objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through the Renewed Hope mandate, to revive and give an enabling environment to the country’s sons and daughters in every corner of the World to put on the green and white colours”, The DG stated.

Chairman of the NSC’s Diaspora Talent Committee, Dr ‘Tunde Adelakun, said “where we will rewrite the history books is in our commitment not only to see you excel in sport, but to also be on the look out for you way outside of sport, making sure you are doing well in academia and preserving your future after sports by making sure you have a sound education”.

Dr Adelakun said the programmes of his Committee, which includes Diaspora Athletes Monitoring Mentoring and Support (DAMMS) initiative, makes Annabelle a perfect fit for what the Board wants to build.

Already at 14 years old, Annabelle Fasuba, is the fastest girl in her age grade in the United Kingdom, who is already being tipped as a sensational talent that will potentially go on to great things in the future of track and field.

Annabelle is the daughter of Nigerian Olympian, and former Africa’s fastest man, Olusoji Fasuba.

Fasuba alongside his wife, who is also a former sprinter, expressed gratitude to the NSC delegation led by the Director General and the Chairman of the NSC Diaspora Talents Discovery Committee Dr Tunde Adelakun.

Annabelle Fasuba was also presented with the Podium Performance Prospect recognition award, by the NSC DG and the Diaspora Committee Chairman.

This is the first visit and award of the Recognition of Project P4 (Podium Performance Prospect Project) in Diaspora as the Diaspora Talents Committee aims to bring in more Nigerian born talents abroad, to represent the Country.

Athletes like Annabelle Fasuba are already being talked to, to come as part of the Diaspora delegation to the much anticipated National Intermediate Games, scheduled for Lagos later this year.