The founder TIG Gymnastics, Anthony Asuquo said the champions at this year’s championship can win medals for Nigeria at 2019 All Africa Games and Africa Championships.
Asuquo disclosed this at the end of the 8th edition of Tony International Gymnastics (TIG) championship in Abuja.
The Akwa Ibom born gymnastics coach told www.aclsports.com that his focus for next year are to organise more clinics for the athletes and coaches so as to improve the standard of the game in the country.
Asuquo said he was impressed with the turnout of young gymnasts this time adding that over 300 gymnasts from Lagos, Abuja and the nearby states attended this year’s event.
“This year’s gymnastics competition is a huge success as we are now looking forward to the All Africa Games and other competitions on our calendar. We only not crave to go out and bring back medals from the continental game; we also strive to be good ambassadors of the country anytime we are out of our shores”.
The Director of Federations, Elite Athletes Department (FEAD), of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Tayo Oreweme harped on the importance of discipline for athletes to achieve their dreams of becoming world champions in their chosen fields.
She praised the efforts of the founder of TIG, Anthony Asuquo, for identifying the talents from the grassroots adding that there would be no elite athletes if there no strong foundation.
“Any sport that does not have good bedrock will not excel, if you do not have a good grassroots development and club like this, you cannot have a good set of elites athletes. If clubs like TIG is in 36 states of the federations, 36 wonders will happen to our sports,” she said.
Oreweme called on other coaches and talent hunters to emulate the good works of the Gymnastics boss in order to take sports in Nigeria to greater height.
Chrisland School finished first place at the end of the championship. In second position was Doveland followed closely by Aduvie in third place.
Lords school and Centagon placed fourth and fifth position respectively.
