PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Although Olufolasade Adamolekun could have represented Nigeria or the United States, the highly rated attacker has chosen Jamaica’s Under-17 Women’s team instead.

Adamolekun, who was born in Austin, Texas, to a Jamaican mother (Michelle) and a Nigerian father (Larne), said that she has a soft spot in her heart for the Caribbean island nation and is eager to take the field to represent its cause.

“I have been to Africa before, but that was when I was a very little girl. I can’t tell you anything really on how the experience was like or anything like that; it was a very long time ago. I don’t remember much. I haven’t got any calls from them [Nigeria] saying that they want me to play for them or anything.

“However, I have played for the United States national team already (as) I played at the Under-15 level some two years ago. I started soccer there from I was like 12 years old and then I got the opportunity from Jamaica to come and play for them.

“That is a great opportunity and I just took it. I love Jamaica, I love the beaches especially. My mom’s side of the family is from Jamaica and so it is very good to be back and play for the country,” Adamolekun said.

Even though she has no experience playing with the young Reggae Girlz at this level, Adamolekun, who goes to the Fleming Island High School in Florida, said that she is 100 per cent committed.

“I played with Jamaica’s Under-20 team during a camp programme in Florida. I had also played among some of the overseas-based players in the Under-17 team in Florida, but this is my first time with the entire Jamaican team; — training and now playing together as one.

“The girls are very nice and the team is also good as well. We played well together and hopefully I can help the team go far. We want to win this championship [Caribbean Football Union Qualifiers] and maybe win CONCACAF and go to World Cup, and who knows, maybe win that as well,” the 16-year-old told the Jamaica Observer.

Adamolekun, who plays for the United Soccer Alliance Club in Florida, said she was encouraged to pursue the game by brother Nathaniel, who represented Jamaica’s Under-17 and Under-20 teams a few years ago.

“I was inspired by my brother back when I was little… I guess because he was doing it I figured I should do it as well. Eventually I got interested in it and I just started playing as well. We trained together as well,” Adamolekun said.

“My mother was an athlete, (who) ran tracks in Texas, (while) my father had played soccer in Nigeria, but not with any clubs, so sports runs in the family,” she ended.

— Ruddy Allen via Jamaican Observer