Sports

1000 Children Ready To Dazzle As TIG Celebrates 11-Yr Anniversary

Published

5 years ago

November 15, 2021

Joel Ajayi

The founder of Tony International Gymnastics club TIG, Anthony Asuquo has revealed that the club is ready to celebrate the 11th years anniversary of the club with over 1000 children not only with gymnastic activities lined up but with classy entertainment laden as well as a lot of gifts for the children and parent across the country.

Speaking with AljazirahNigeria Sports, in Abuja coach Asuqou said that the eleven edition will come up on the 4th-5th of December, 2021 in the Federal Capital Territory.

The eleven years old club, which has been at the forefront in grassroots development of raw talents, Players and coaches and polishing them to international standard.

He expressed satisfaction in the level of growth experience by the club courtesy of hard work and determination.

According to him, in the history of Gymnastics, the club has organized eleven editions and it keeps growing from year to year.

“We started this club with just six gymnasts in Abuja, we then move to a compound with 11 gymnasts and today I must tell you that TIG have over 800 students across the country sinning under TIG Program while over 50 coaches have received training so far and they are all over the world as we speak teaching gymnastic in different countries.

“We have impacted so many lives, many athletes have and are representing us at local and international championships with many medals.

“While we send some to further their education at NOUN University across the country to have education and still play gymnastics.”

Speaking on the 2021 edition of the club anniversary, World Gymnastic satisfied coach Asuquo said “it’s going to be more exciting, entertaining with a lot of gifts, we just hope we get support from the ministry of sports development.

“Close to 1000 will be participating. That is why we make it a two day event to enable all kids to participate.

He, however, calls on the government, parents, and partners to support the club to enable it to help the need the more as well as the success of activities line up for the days.

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Sports

Nigeria Targets Grassroots Sports Revival as Tinubu’s Aide Adeboye Unveils National Sports Grassroots Summit

Published

11 hours ago

November 5, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye Adeyinka, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of grassroots sports development in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to prioritise youth empowerment, education and national development alongside medals and trophies.

Adeyinka stated this on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference while announcing the 2026 National Grassroots Sports Summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The summit, with the theme, “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” is expected to bring together government officials, sports administrators, state and local government representatives, private-sector investors, development partners, coaches, athletes and other stakeholders.

The presidential aide stressed that sports development must be measured not only by international achievements but also by the number of young Nigerians whose lives are positively transformed through participation in sports.

He noted that while sporting excellence could lead some athletes to Olympic medals and World Cup glory, sports also offered millions of young people opportunities for education, personal development, employment and social inclusion.

“Sometimes, when we discuss sports development, we speak about stadiums, trophies, medals and international competitions.

“But I want us to remember that at the heart of every sporting achievement is a human being,” Adeyinka said.

He explained that participation in sports could help young Nigerians secure university scholarships, develop discipline, build confidence, acquire life skills and stay away from negative influences.

According to him, sports should be recognised as an important instrument for building character, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for young people, irrespective of their backgrounds.

On talent identification, Adeyinka expressed concern that Nigeria continues to lose potential sporting talents because many children lack access to adequate facilities, qualified coaches, encouragement and organised talent-discovery programmes.

He emphasised the need for an inclusive grassroots sports system that would provide equal opportunities for children in rural communities, public schools, underserved areas and different socioeconomic backgrounds.

The presidential aide maintained that a child’s sporting prospects should not be determined by geographical location, family background or connections to influential individuals.

He warned that without a coordinated approach to identifying and nurturing young talents, the country could continue to miss opportunities to discover future champions.

Adeyinka said the forthcoming summit was designed to develop a sustainable national framework for identifying, nurturing and supporting sporting talents across the 774 local government areas.

He added that the gathering would seek practical solutions to the challenges affecting grassroots sports administration rather than focus solely on speeches and ceremonial activities.

A major objective, he explained, was to move away from fragmented talent-discovery initiatives towards a coordinated national structure connecting school and community competitions with clubs, national competitions and international sporting opportunities.

The two-day summit will deliberate on five key areas: sports participation, talent development, infrastructure, the sports economy and international pathways.

Adeyinka expressed optimism that the recommendations from the summit would provide a roadmap for strengthening grassroots sports development, expanding youth participation and positioning sports as a viable contributor to Nigeria’s economic and social development.

He called on relevant stakeholders to support the initiative and work collectively towards building a sustainable grassroots sports system capable of identifying and developing talents across the country.

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