PRESS RELEASE

                                               

Young Nigerian Leader from London 2012's International Inspiration programme runs in Olympic Torch Relay

                                                          Figure 2 Emmanuel holds up the torch

Emmanuel Luka from Kwali in Nigeria on the 28^th of June fulfilled the opportunity of a lifetime to run with the Olympic Torch as a result of his involvement in London 2012’s international sports legacy programme, International Inspiration.
He was amongst a group of 20 young people involved in International Inspiration who took part in the Olympic Torch Relay through Nottinghamshire in the UK on 28 June.
One Torchbearer was selected from each of the 20 countries which are part of International Inspiration, from Azerbaijan to Zambia, to take part in the Relay. Each International Inspiration Torchbearer was nominated and selected either for their dedication and commitment to inspiring children and young people in their communities through the power of sport or for the personal challenges they have overcome in their lives.  
Emmanuel Luka was nominated by his teacher, Mohammed Aguye because he demonstrated leadership in sports and academics, he is a young school leader who is transforming his fellow students by leading and directing sports festivals at his school, Government Secondary School in Kwali.

International Inspiration is bringing to life the promise made by the London 2012 bid team where they pledged to reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport. The programme is delivered around the world by a unique partnership of organisations including the British Council, UNICEF UK and UK Sport.

International Inspiration is enriching the lives of more than 12 million children in 20 countries around the world through high-quality and inclusive physical education, sport and play. The programme is currently helping change the lives of over 12 million young people.

Emmanuel said:    “I had a great experience, it was a life changing experience and I feel so privileged, I got to meet people from all over the world and I learned more about the international inspiration program. I hope to take all I have learned and improve on the work I am already doing in Kwali” .

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) said: “I’m thrilled that Emmaneul Luka from our International Inspiration programme in Nigeria has had the opportunity to run with the Olympic Flame. Emmanuel has been a real inspiration in his community and truly demonstrates how sport can change someone’s life.  Emmanuel's story is truly inspirational.”

For further information please contact Sephora Imomoh: Sephora.Imomoh@ng.britishcouncil.org

About International Inspiration
The International Inspiration programme is governed by an independent charitable foundation. International Inspiration is supported and funded by a mixture of organisations and Foundations, including Department for International  Development (DFID), the British Council, the Premier League, UNICEF, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Comic Relief, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the GE Foundation and individual donors. The programme is also supported by the Youth Sport Trust, the British Olympic Association and the British Paralympic Association and individual donors.

To enable longer-term impact, the programme is developed jointly with the governments, National Olympic Committees and National Paralympic Committees, where appropriate, of participating countries. The programme is supported and welcomed by the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee.

The vision of International Inspiration is to use the power of sport to enrich the lives of millions of children and young people of all abilities in schools and communities across the world, particularly developing countries, by offering them the opportunity to access and participate in high-quality and inclusive sport, physical education and play. The programme is already changing the lives of young people in twenty countries - Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Jordan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, South Africa, Tanzania, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda and Zambia - and has already enriched the lives of over 12 million children and young people.

International Inspiration was developed as a result of the commitment made by the London Bid team in Singapore in 2005 to ‘reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport’.

The school partnerships are managed by the British Council, which has long experience of linking schools internationally, working in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, which utilises its expertise in developing teachers and young leaders through sport.