Sports

Olympian, Uche Eke gives Scholarship To Two TIG Gymnasts in USA, Donate Equipments

Published

1 year ago

January 6, 2024

Joel Ajayi

Despite not growing up in the country, the Olympian who represented Nigeria at the Gymnastics event in Tokyo 2020 Uche Eke has given out scholarships to two Members of Tony Asuquo Gymnastic TIG Club to pursue their career in sports in the United States of America.

Uche who is now a Software Engineer in the state promised to donate gymnastics equipment to his childhood club to help the children have better training.

Softspoken Eke, the trailblazing Nigerian Olympian who made history by representing the country at the Tokyo 2022 Olympics, is presently in Nigeria on holiday, seizing the opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of gymnastics in the nation.

Addressing a gathering during a training session at Moshood Abiola Stadium’s gymnasium hall, Eke articulated his post-retirement commitment to establishing a robust platform for the flourishing of young Nigerian gymnasts. Reflecting on the profound opportunities he presented by representing his country, he underscored the importance of creating avenues for the next generation of Nigerian talent.

Recalling his own experiences while preparing for Tokyo 2020, Eke recognized the abundance of untapped talent among aspiring gymnasts, hindered only by the lack of appropriate environments and equipment. Now, he is determined to make a difference by providing scholarships for two promising gymnasts to pursue training in the United States, ensuring access to cutting-edge facilities and participation in top-tier competitions.

Expanding on his philanthropic endeavors, Eke announced plans to support the Tony International Gymnastics Club (TIG) by providing essential equipment. His goal is to empower young athletes, enabling them to hone their skills and potentially secure podium finishes at future Olympic Games.

He expressed that he desires to see many Nigerian Gymnasts succeed and surpass what he has done, saying that he desires to see the next person that will go to the Olympics for Nigeria to win a medal not just go.

When asked if he is going to participate in this year’s Olympics in Paris? Uche expressed: “It makes me sad to say that I will not be participating. But you know, we are doing some other things such as trying to sponsor two gymnasts, and take them, somewhere in the United States and have them trained up with great equipment.

“That is why I am here, the idea of picking some children from Nigeria, taking them abroad, we have raw talents, looking at them they are strong but the only disadvantage is equipment, it’s bad for their safety, and it slows down the pace of their learning process. Everyone here is determined, they have the Nigerian blood flowing through them that is why I decided to give scholarships to two of them every year to enable them to have better equipment.”

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Sports

Elegbeleye thumbs up intriguing NPFL Title Race

Published

6 hours ago

March 13, 2025

The Gleamer

It has been a season of twists and turns at the top and bottom zones of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) log with positions changing almost after every Matchday.

At the start of the season, Remo Stars established their title credentials by staying within the top three just as Lobi Stars, Nasarawa and Akwa United struggled to burst loose from the drop zone.

As the season crossed the half line, Remo Stars broke away from the loop, establishing a ten points gap from the chasing pack. But it appears the fierce fight now is for the remaining continental slots, which Ikorodu City is the latest and surprise entrant. They join the quartet of Rivers United, Shooting Stars, Rangers and Enyimba in the jostle for second and third place.

NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye took stock of the ding-dong and expressed excitement over the fierce battle for the league title and continental spots.

After Matchday 28, theres left 10 matchdays to conclude the season, and Elegbeleye says the competition has been “unprecedented,” He attributes the tight contest to improvements in match officiating that may have boosted clubs’ confidence.

“Teams now travel for away games with the mindset of winning rather than just defending for a point,” he noted.

The NPFL has increasingly attracted new breed of young managers including former Super Eagles players who returned from Europe. From Finidi Georgia to Emmanuel Amunike and Daniel Amokachi to least a few, the European influence is aiding the competition. There are also the likes of home bred Stars like Imama Amakapabo, Kennedy Boboye, Tony Bulus and others who are all from the same generation.

Elegbeleye points to their influence in the rise in coaching standards, arguing that “with the blend of young and experienced tacticians, we are creating an environment where ex-players can transition into coaching roles, and where Super Eagles and international players feel comfortable playing in Nigeria due to the league’s quality.”

He is specifically impressed by Ikorodu City, whose remarkable rise has added a fresh twist to the title race.

“]Ikorodu City’s performance has been impressive. They’ve shown that privately owned clubs can thrive in the NPFL with proper planning, recruitment, and promotion. From struggling early in the season to now challenging for the title and continental spots, they’ve added excitement and credibility to the league. Their journey is a testament to what can be achieved with the right approach.”

On the relegation battle, Elegbeleye noted the fierce competition at the bottom of the table. “While the focus is often on the top, the fight to avoid relegation is equally intense. Any team from 12th to 20th is still at risk, which shows the level of competition in the league. We’ll be closely monitoring the remaining matches to ensure fairness and integrity.”

With the NPFL delivering drama, quality, and unpredictability, Elegbeleye is confident the league will crown a worthy champion at the end of the season.

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