Coach Canvasses Support For Gymnastics

The Anambra gym
nastics coach, Benson Udeh, has in Abuja urged the federal and state governments to give more support to gymnastics in Nigeria for the sport to develop faster.
Udeh told newsmen at the 5th Aliko Dangote Open Gymnastics Championships which ended on Sunday in Abuja that government’s interest in the sport was not encouraging.
“The development of gymnastics in Nigeria is going very slow, and the federal government is not helping us.
“This sport is one of the first at the Olympic Games , and it has many events to participate in and ensure a team wins many medals, yet it is not well recognised in Nigeria.
“We (gymnasts) are not even allowed to participate in some championships, yet this is a sport which helps the kids,” he said.
The coach called for the introduction of more competitions in order to keep gymnasts fit, saying the sport needs constant practice.
“It is not encouraging that a gymnast only attends two championships in a year. This is a sport that needs flexibility and constant practice in order to keep them fit.
“This is the only means the kids can get exposure,” he said.
Udeh however, thanked the Anambra government for giving his team the opportunity to participate in the championships.