3rd June, 2013
When Chinenye Anslem started Adopt-A-Talent Programme three years ago, she never thought the programme will give her the opportunity to win her first international laurel for Nigeria until it happened recently at the recently held African U-18 Athletics Junior Championship in Warri, Delta State.
Anslem, who won silver medal in High Jump, was among the athletes that received award of N400, 000 from President Goodluck Jonathan after Team Nigeria came first in the tourney.
Anslem told P.M.NEWS Sports that having achieved that feat in Warri, her target now is to go further and take part at the 2015 All Africa Games, AAG, in Democratic Republic of Congo.
She said what President Jonathan did to athletes that won medals in Warri has boosted her morale to target another glory for the country at the AAG in Congo.
“Of course I want to win more laurels for this country. I am proud to be honoured by Mr. President and I believe that this kind gesture will help me to win more glory in future international championships,” said Anslem, who thanked her coaches in Adopt -A -Talent Sports Programme for grooming and nurturing her talent to the stardom.
Anslem said the exposure she got in Warri will help her to perform better in the talent discovery programme of the Lagos State government.
Anslem said what she learned from the Adopt-A-Talent Programme in the last three years really helped her to achieve success in Warri and thanked Lagos State Government for this laudable project.
“If not for the Adopt- A-Talent Sports Programme, I couldn’t have even got a chance to represent Nigeria at the Warri tourney. The type of training and nutrition I received really helped my growth and it gave me confidence to compete with any athlete in the world,” she said.
She advised her colleagues in the Adopt-A-Talent Programme to remain steadfast and always give their best in trainings and competitions. She said listen to coaches’ instruction is one of the tools that can help the athletes excel in their chosen career.
—Sunday Akintoye