Ex-international long jumper, Yusuf Alli has pushed aside expectations of a haul of medals for Nigeria at the ongoing 4th Africa Youth Games in Angola, saying it is meant basically for development of talents.
Sports247 reports that Alli expressed this view after observing the giant strides being achieved by Nigeria’s contingent to the games but quickly added that his delight at the performances is not just about their present achievements.
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While speaking about his role as the chief executive officer of the Elite Athletes & Podium Board of National Sports Commission (NSC) at the ongoing multiple sports events, Alli said he is there to inspire the Nigerian youngsters.
Alli disclosed, “My job primarily here is to motivate them and see how we can get the best out of them. I am sure they all like it and it will make a big deal for them in the long run.
“They see me in the same vision with them for their progress, and it also gives me the opportunity to know these young athletes inside out.”
The former African and Commonwealth Games long jump champion also expressed delight with the presence of really young athletes in the Nigerian team and pointed out that he is enjoying his ability to mix with them in the camp.
Alli added, “I like to stand with young athletes, and I enjoy being with them here. When it comes to age-grade competitions, I don’t go there just to win, but mostly I see it as a developmental programme.
“I believe two, three, four or five of these athletes will make the future senior grades. Some of them are very, very young, and that’s what we are trying to do in Nigeria … to make sure we have athletes of the real ages.”
He concluded with a positive projection into the future, saying there is a strong possibility that Nigeria’s best talents at this year’s competition in Luanda could become stars who would bring global glory to the nation in years to come.
“I am here to see who and who will make the future for Nigeria. In the next two, three years, I want to see them in the senior national team, and some will be at the Olympic Games.
“That’s when we’ll start to benefit from what we are doing now. I believe the sports commission is cleverly doing the right thing and, if they continue on this note, we’ll soon get back to what we had in our golden era,” Alli concluded.
