Gymnasts from the Tony International Gymnastics (TIG) club have called on the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development and the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN) for talent support. 

Tony Asuquo, head coach and founder of TIG Club, said that hard work and consistency helped them excel in the Gymstar International Club World Championship in Malta.

A total of eight gymnasts from the club took part in the tournament from July 8 to July 9, with the team winning 23 medals from various gymnastics events at the championship. 

Mr Asuquo, who was pleased with the team’s performance, told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja that the team will not rest on its oars.

He called on the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development as well as the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN) to support talents in gymnastics.

“This is the first time the team is participating in a championship in Europe, and among 198 gymnasts, our eight athletes were able to pull off 23 medals. It is worth celebrating.

“This is due to the hard work and consistency of the coaches, the gymnasts, and their parents, and we were able to raise the country’s flag very high abroad. 

“We have so many talents in Nigeria, but our challenge is getting support in terms of facilities, technical ability, exposure to local and foreign competitions, etc. 

“We were able to travel to Malta on individual sponsorships, but we wished we could have gotten support from the Ministry as well as the federation,” he said.

(NAN)