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Sports Minister Cheers Young Gymnasts at Goal Project
Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare on Sunday visited young gymnasts within the age of three to 12 years old at the Goal Project in the Main Bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium to cheer them as they competed in the finals of the Tony International Gymnastics Championship.
The Minister, who expressed his pleasure at seeing committed young gymnasts, said they are Nigeria’s hope for gymnastics in the future, noting that “This is a process. You are catching them young and that is what we at the Ministry are trying to do in sports in general. The kids will do great things in the nearest future.”
He said, “Like I said earlier, catching them young is part of the agenda of the Ministry and so, we will partner with you, we will support you as much as we can to see that the number of gymnasts increases and we see them grow to become Olympians who will compete anywhere in the world”.
The Minister then extended an invitation to the gymnasts and their parents. He said, “I hope to receive you officially with your parents in my office soon”.
The gymnasts’ coach, Tony Asuquo, had told the Minister that the young gymnasts can compete and win medals for Nigeria anywhere in the world with the level of hard work they have put in.
He said, “with the levels we have here, they can compete in the US, in Russia, name it. They can compete anywhere in the world and win medals. We look forward to the coming National Sports Festival next year to see them also compete there”.
The gymnasts put up a show to display their gymnastics skills to the Minister delight.
Featured
Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
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