Sports

Sensational Nigeria, Gymnast Stephanie Onusiriuka Bags 2-Years’ Training Tour In UK

Published

1 year ago

June 25, 2023

A 12-year-old sensational gymnast, Stephanie Onusiriuka will fly out of the country on the Sunday, 25th of June 2023 for a self-sponsor 2 years training tour in the Central London, Leed City to pursue her sporting career and her education.

Onusiriuka, a member of Tony International Gymnastics TIG club of Abuja will, as from next week, be having her training at one of the biggest Leed gymnastic clubs for the period of 2 years, courtesy of her parents.

The young gymnast has continued the amazing trend of success for Nigerian female athletes and has been rewarded for her Gold Medal at the recent African Junior Gymnastics Championship and won many accolades for herself.

Speaking at a sent-forth party organized for Onusiriuka, the founder of TIG club Coach, Tony Asuquo said Nigeria lacks better equipment, that is why she was pushed abroad to pursue her dream.

According to him, we are here today, because of our outstanding gymnast, Stephanie Onusiriuka, we all know that she has broken many gymnastic records in the country and beyond, she has done double bar summersault, the first girl to do a triple twist in West Africa, she has won different competitions.

“We looked at it that, Nigeria lacks some equipment to assist the young lad further, and we don’t want her to get injured. So, the parents came up with a plan to sponsor the training abroad.

“Kudos to Stephanie’s Mum who went out there to get funds, visa and today, she will be going to Leed City in UK for a period of two years training tour with better equipment and she will be back to represent Nigeria as soon as possible.”

Speaking on the benefits of the training to Nigeria, Coach Anthony said: it’s a very good one for Nigeria because we have seen so many talents die just because there is no push like what Stephene’s parents did. We don’t want to kill her dream because of lack of equipment, we want to make sure something good happens to her, there is no support from the Federation, but self-support from parents and immediate past sports Minister Sunday Dare.

In her remark, an elated Onusiriuka showered encomiums on her parents for giving her the opportunity to pursue her dream.

“I feel very happy, because my parents have tried a lot for me to be able to get to this stage, I know getting the money to make me realize this is not an easy task.

“My target is to reach there and learn, improve and be the best in the country and the world.

“I want to thank TG Club, Coach Tony and other coaches for their impact on me, I have learned so much, the coaches are fantastic. I have fun with my fellow gymnasts, I wish all of them the best.”

Also speaking, an elated, hard-working mother of the young lad, who went all there to ensure her child gets the training tour, Mrs Amaka Onwusurika said at last, hard work pays for her.

“At least, for now, she will be able to train with well-equipped and standard facilities at Leed city and I pray and hope she will make Nigeria proud.

“My hope is for her to get to the Olympics and I know by the grace of God, she will get there.”

She, however, heaped huge encomiums on the immediate past Minister of youth and sport development, Chief Sunday Dare, and the entire Ministry at large, whose support was endless to make her daughter realize the dream.

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Sports

Gusau Praises President Tinubu, ValueJet crew for diligence and endurance

Published

4 days ago

October 15, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Tuesday expressed the deep appreciation of the NFF and the Nigeria Football family for the warm words of encouragement from the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR following the Super Eagles’ return from a better-forgotten Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match adventure in Libya.

On Monday, Mr. President put out a statement warmly welcoming the team back to home, and asking for prompt justice from the Confederation of African Football following the inhumane treatment of the Nigerian contingent. Mr. President also commended the proactive coordination between the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the unfortunate episode and ensuring the safe return of the players.

“We hereby express our deep and sincerest appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his warm and kind words of encouragement. These words have gone a long way to reassure the players of the firm support of the Government and people of Nigeria for what they do and the efforts and sacrifice they make in representing this great country.

“The commitment and love for the team by the Government and the entire nation was aptly demonstrated by the physical presence of the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh at the airport to welcome the team back to Nigeria.

“Mr. President as the father of the nation, has once again demonstrated his concern and keen interest in the beautiful game of football that unites our peoples from all walks of life and across all known mental, physical, spiritual, political and economic boundaries, and which fosters national unity and friendship among peoples and nations of the universe.”

Gusau, who led the delegation to Libya, also commended the captain and crew of the ValueJet aircraft that flew the delegation to and from that country, saying that their patience, diligence, good manners, warmth and endurance made the trip less arduous for the contingent.

“The captain (Mr. Abdul-Latif) and crew were awesome. I must commend, in particular, the captain. He did his job professionally and with a touch of excellence, and even intervened at a point to talk to the airport operatives to allow the NFF leadership to go outside the airport to find a way to hire vehicles for the team. As a fellow North African (Tunisian) who had worked in Libya previously, they were ready to offer him hotel accommodation but not any other member of the crew or any Nigerian, as all the hotels in the city disclosed that they had strict orders not to welcome any Nigerian nationality. He refused their offer and rather opted to sleep in the aircraft with the rest of the crew.

“The captain and crew showed great maturity and kindness. We will never forget them.”

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