Fasuba leaves door open for daughter Annabelle to represent Nigeria

Former African sprint champion Olusoji Fasuba has said the possibility of his daughter, Annabelle Fasuba, representing Nigeria in the future will depend on her personal decision and the progress of athletics development in the country, Sport360NG reports. 

Annabelle, 14, is currently regarded as the fastest girl in her age category in the United Kingdom and is already being touted as one of track and field’s brightest young prospects.

The teenager, daughter of former Nigerian Olympian and ex-African record holder Fasuba, is presently developing under Great Britain’s athletics system, with many expecting her to continue her career with the European nation.

Despite that, Fasuba has not dismissed the possibility of his daughter switching allegiance to Nigeria in the future, especially amid growing efforts by the National Sports Commission to attract talented athletes of Nigerian descent abroad.

Speaking with Sport360NG, the former sprinter said the final decision would ultimately rest with Annabelle while emphasising the need for improvements within Nigerian athletics.

“It’s going to be in her hand and how Nigeria athletics changes,” Fasuba said.

The former African record holder added that his daughter is fully aware of his achievements representing Nigeria and understands the significance of competing for the country.

“She knows everything and sees everything,” he stated.

Fasuba also urged Nigerian sports administrators to establish a system that supports athletes beyond the pursuit of medals alone.

“From my perspective as a parent and former athlete, I believe the most important thing Nigerian sports authorities can do is create a structure that makes both home-based and diaspora athletes feel valued beyond just medals,” he said.

His comments come as the National Sports Commission intensifies efforts to strengthen relationships with elite Nigerian athletes abroad through initiatives such as the Podium Performance Prospect programme and the proposed National Intermediate Games.

As part of the initiative, the commission’s Director-General, Bukola Olopade, recently visited Annabelle and her family in the United Kingdom, where he reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to supporting talented Nigerian athletes across the globe.

Olopade said the commission was determined to maximise the potential of Nigerian athletes both at home and in the diaspora to improve the country’s performances at major international competitions.

According to him, the commission hopes more young Nigerian athletes abroad will embrace the country’s sporting vision and eventually represent Nigeria on the global stage.

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

“This is one of the core objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 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.”