The
Nigerian team have been forced to cut short their participation at the
African All-Stars Gymnastics tournament in Pretoria in South Africa
after running out of funds. The Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria sent
eight women and four men gymnasts to the competition.
According
to the News Agency of Nigeria, Tony Asuquo, who is the coach of the
team, told reporters in Abuja on Wednesday that they decided to return
home from South Africa on Tuesday because of money.
“We travelled
with 13 gymnasts for the event and we participated in the games from
August 2 to 6 and won two gold and nine bronze. We would have stayed for
another event but couldn’t due to insufficient funds. Money used was
provided by parents of the gymnasts and sponsors.”
The FG should
support and recognise these gymnasts and not just footballers all the
time. We went to represent Nigeria and not our families.“We have been
winning medals and breaking records and are yet to be invited for
recognition.“
At least scholarships should be awarded to the
children and this will go a long way to encourage their parents to send
them out to the gym for trainings.”