The Nigeria Olympic Committee president, Sani Ndanusa has said that the body will ensure that more Jonathan Akinyemis are discovered and given opportunity to represent Nigeria at the big stage like the Olympics. Akinyemi, a British born Nigerian represented the country in Canoe K1 in the Olympics.
Even though the youngstar did not go far in the preliminaries losing out in his first attempt, the NOC boss said he will be encouraged so as to serve as motivation for other Nigerian athletes in the diaspora. “I am proud of Jonathan Akinyemi and his family who allowed him to star for Nigeria where others shy away from.
For doing that the NOC will package him and use him to encourage other Nigerian athletes in the diaspora. We will continue to encourage him so that others will believe in the new system we are creating. Our plan is to have sportsmen in the diaspora.
We are looking at having diaspora basketball, tennis etc. It will be operated in such a way that they can be in other countries but be part of our programme back home. Akinyemi is a shinning example and will be encouraged.” He said.