London 2012: Abdullahi lifts sulking Akinyemi's spirit

JONATHAN Akinyemi, Nigeria's first Olympic slalom canoe competitor is yet to come to terms with his unsuccessful bid to move ahead in the men's kayak K1 event.After Monday's event, the 23-year-old who has scored a first to compete for Nigeria in the white water of Lee Valley is still devastated.Scribe of Team Nigeria Canoeing, Bunmi Oluode said confirmed that Akinyemi was still devastated.''It's a sad one for us and for Akinyemi. He is still mourning his loss and is greatly affected by that. He was greatly looking forward to doing his best for his fatherland'', Oluode said.''We've told him to look at the positives of representing Nigeria and he has learnt one or two things of doing well in the sport. For us, we are not happy but we trust in God for all his mercies'', Oluode herself weighed down by the result said.But Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi who watched Akinyemi as he struggled against the massive waters described his efforts as soul-lifting. ''I'm proud with his efforts and you needed to see his bravery against the churning waters. He has started something that will definitely open doors for other Nigerians in the sport'', Abdullahi who has become the number one cheerleader for Team Nigeria in all their events here at the Olympics said.
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