Sports

Nigeria Gymnastics Federation Vows To Raise 20,000 Gymnasts Nationwide

Published

4 weeks ago

September 10, 2025

By Joel Ajayi

The Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN) has unveiled an ambitious plan to raise at least 20,000 gymnasts across the country, as part of its renewed drive to expand the sport’s grassroots base and strengthen Nigeria’s global standing in gymnastics.

President of the Federation, Prince Kelvin Erhunwmunse, made this pledge in Abuja after his re-election for a third consecutive term during a transparent and peaceful election witnessed by delegates from 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Prince Kelvin, said the Federation’s aggressive grassroots development programmes had already yielded significant results, citing Edo State where nearly 700 students were introduced to gymnastics, resulting in the creation of more than 40 new clubs. Similar initiatives in the Northeast discovered over 300 promising athletes who featured in the National Youth Games.

“We’re taking this zone by zone, and the Northwest is next,” Prince Kelvin said. “The ultimate goal is to raise 20,000 gymnasts nationwide. No state will be left behind in this vision.”

Under his leadership, Nigeria became the first West African country to qualify for gymnastics at the Olympic Games, winning a historic gold medal and attracting international recognition for the sport. The Federation also hosted Africa’s first-ever international gymnastics coaching course in Abuja, drawing experts from Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, and other countries.

According to the President, these efforts have unlocked opportunities for Nigeria, including equipment donations, institutional partnerships, and training exchanges with global gymnastics bodies. Already, 15 states are being considered to receive acrobatic gymnastics equipment through partnerships facilitated during the international course.

Prince Kelvin emphasized that his next term will focus on strengthening club development, building robust junior and senior national teams, and instilling discipline among athletes.

With unity within its board and international recognition steadily growing, the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria says its 20,000-gymnast target will create a sustainable pipeline of talent capable of competing at the highest levels worldwide.

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Sports

Nigeria Jets Out Tuesday for 2025 Hockey AFCON as Federation President Engr Nkom Backs Teams for Podium Finish

Published

6 hours ago

October 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With the 2025 Hockey African Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Egypt from October 11 to 18, both the men’s and women’s national hockey teams are set to depart Nigeria on October 7, brimming with confidence and determination to make the nation proud.

The President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Engineer Simon Nkom, speaking after a series of friendly matches at the Hockey Pitch, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, said the teams’ early preparation and intensive training camps have positioned them for a successful outing in Egypt.

“In sports—whether it’s hockey, handball, or basketball—fitness is key. That’s why we began camping weeks ago to build the players’ strength and resilience ahead of this major competition. This is the African Cup of Nations—the highest level of hockey on the continent. We’ve prepared well, and I’m confident our teams will finish on the podium,” he stated.

Nkom highlighted the significant progress Nigerian hockey has recorded in recent years, noting that the country’s world ranking improved from 56th to 36th, while in Hockey 5s, Nigeria now stands 12th globally.

“A few years ago, people barely knew hockey existed in Nigeria. Today, our women’s team ranks 3rd in Africa, and the men’s team is 4th. This growth is a product of deliberate grassroots development and consistent effort,” he added.

To ensure smooth participation and avoid past challenges of late arrivals at tournaments, the federation has finalized logistics for early departure.

“We’ve made all arrangements for the teams to leave early to acclimatize and play friendly matches before the competition begins. The players are motivated, relaxed, and ready to give their best. By God’s grace, they will return home with their heads held high,” Nkom assured.

The HFN President also lauded the federation’s board members for their commitment and teamwork over the past four years, which he said has greatly contributed to the sport’s steady rise in Nigeria.

Head coach Ndana Baba Abdullahi, who oversees both the men’s and women’s teams, praised the federation’s support and lauded the players’ work ethic throughout the extended training camp.

“We’ve worked very hard — morning and evening sessions, tactical drills, conditioning. The players have responded excellently. We started with 35 players and are now down to the final 18 who will make the trip,” Abdullahi said, adding that the early arrival in Egypt would give Nigeria a crucial psychological and tactical edge.

Men’s team captain, Michael John, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness and determination to make history in Egypt.

“We’re perfectly fine — we’ve trained hard and prepared well,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the whistle to blow. By God’s grace, we won’t disappoint our country or those who worked hard to send us there.”

Similarly, women’s team captain, Alfa Cornelius, echoed optimism about the team’s prospects.

“We’ve been camping for over a month, and the coaches have done a wonderful job. We’ve worked hard to match our opponents in both strength and skill. I’m 100% confident that we’ll perform excellently in Egypt,” she said.

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