Founder of Tony International Gymnastics (TIG), Tony Asuquo said they will organised more competitions to prepare gymnasts for future encounter.
Asuquo told Journalists on Saturday at the French International School that it necessary to organise more competition to develop the sport in the Nigeria.
According to him, TIG is in collaboration with French Embassy organised the maiden edition ‘Gymnastics/Ballet talents hunt’ competition from age 3 to 12 years at the French International School in Abuja.
He said they have achieved the aim of organising the competition.
In his words “We have some dignitaries that were present, they are , Catriona Laing the British High Commission to Nigeria and the Danish Embassy in Abuja,Sune Krogstrup with different Directors grace the occasion.
“We have children from three to 12 that participated in the championship.
“We have discovered many talents from different levels, we have from level one to sixth levels for today competition , from the beginners to level six, and I think we got a lot of gymnasts.
“We saw some of the gymnasts that are very good in the school and also some that are doing it in the schools that we need to work on to ensure that they become perfected.
“ We take them from the schools and we now train them professionally because we have professional standards routine here.
“Our levels system is been compared to the level system of all over the world.,” he said .
He said they have a lot of line up programs align to develop the level of gymnasts and also to develop the sport.
” This is our second program for this year , we are going to organised another one in June .
“In July and we will go to South Africa , then we be back to have another big championship again,” he said.
In addition, Testimony from the children today is that they have learnt new things a lot today and this competition brings a lot of different gains together,” he said.
On her part, Joan Ogundimu, a parent from TIG, said that the children displayed was fantastic.I am proud as a parent. I’m amazed and blown by what they’re doing right now.
“ Joy of being a parent being here,I see what the kids can do. I am surprised and I’m ecstatic.
“ We are happy for what the children that are showcasing their talents in this competition.It’s quite amazing what Coach Tony does.
“ It’s very good skills displayed by the kids,nice therapeutic way to get your children involved in sport.
“It’s can help to up hold more podium in the future.Nigeria needs this in developing major sports development , for children’s careers and so this is amazing.
Another parent, Mary Vanise, said “ I feel amazed for the past couple of years we have been going for events like this but this is different.
Meanwhile, a participant ,Ejiorfor Chidera, said she was nervous because when she competed she felt she has broken a record and feels happy about her progress in the competition.
“This competition have improved my skills and I have learnt another skills that I will like to join in my routine because I saw my friends displaying such to achieve her success.
Another athlete, Stephanie Onusiriuka said although she is in level 8 ,she came to display her skills in the competition rather than competing.
“ I have learnt attitude and dance in today competition. I have already have attitude and dance but theirs is more like advanced because they are of lower level,” she said.
“ I came to display , it’s will improve a lots , I didn’t come to display a higher skills here,” she said.
