A former athletics coach and the interpreter to Team Nigeria to the just concluded 11th All Africa Games (AAG) held in Brazzaville, Congo, Timothy Akinrodoye has commended the efforts of the Nigerian athletes and the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to ensure that Nigeria finished second at the medals table of the commemorative games.
Akinrodoye a retired comptroller in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) said “first and foremost, we owe every appreciation to the government of the country for extending all the support to the Team Nigeria.
“Especially for the confidence they have on the leadership of the NSC led by Alhassan Yakmut. My happiness is that the Alhassan Yakmut led NSC did not disappoint the country in the games.
“He really motivated the athletes and was able to convince all that he is capable of the job, and a thorough bred technocrat.
“One thing that really impressed me most, was that two months to the Games, he introduced Basic French Language to all the athletes before their departure for games.
“This really paid off, as many of them were able to communicate effectively at the Games. This has never happened in Nigeria sports”.
Continuing, he said “In fact, I am of the opinion that the appointment of Yakmut is a round peg in a round hole, and if such appointments are made in the various sectors of the economy, Nigeria would soon attain its greatness among comity of nations”.
He finally advised the President to ensure that anyone that would be appointed as the Minister of Sports should be someone who would key into the good foundations that are been laid at the Commission to ensure that Nigerian athletes perform excellently well at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Team Nigeria finished second on the medals table at the end of the AAG with 47 gold, 55 silver and 42 bronze to garner 144 medals behind winner, Egypt with 85 gold, 64 silver and 68 bronze to garner 217 medals while South Africa placed third with 41 gold, 41 silver and 40 bronze to garner 122 medals.
A total of 37 countries participated in the Games.
