Maduako Igbokwe I Tuesday, Dec. 05, 2023
UMUAHIA, Nigeria – Abia State Gymnastics Association, has called on the governor Dr Alex Otti led administration to empower the State Sports Council to embark on talent hunt at the grassroots levels to fish out hidden athletes.
The association said that Abia may be losing out in the area of fishing out and equipping talented young athletes.
According to the group,those talents when discovered will represent and bring glory and expose Abia more to the international sporting societies.
The Chairman of the association, Mr Chidi Okpanku in a statement made available to newsmen, said the State is blessed with talented kids who should be encouraged by the government to excel.
He recalled that two young gymnasts, Chenille and Francisca Okpanku, aged between 9 and 13 years, have since 2021, been making waves by winning laurels for Abia and Nigeria, in national, continental and global competitions.
Okpanku, said that they excelled at the National Youth and Adult Sports Festivals, where both won medals to place Abia among the best in Gymnastics.
According to him, the duo went ahead to represent Nigeria, in Dubai (UAE) in April, 2022, won Gold in South Africa, in August, the same year and was later hosted by then Vice President, Prof Osibanjo, on return.
According to the association chairman, who is the siblings father, the young girls in July, this year, participated in The International World Gymnastics in Malta, Europe, where their performances were declared, “Outstanding” by the World body, after coming overall tops with Gold Medals at the event attended by 12 countries.
“The International World Gymnastics in Malta, came up in July, 2023, and these girls were out. Chenille, got one gold medal and four bronze, and emerged 3rd all-round best among 12 countries that participated in the competition.
“Chenilke, competed in the junior Olympics level. Francisca Okpanku, emerged with two gold and two silver medals at her level and a trophy” he said .
He further said the athletes competed in the September, National Youth Games, representing Abia, and also did so for Nigeria in Czech Republic and Portugal, this November, and appealed to the State government to encourage them to do more and achieve their Olympic dreams, which will bring Glory and Honour to Abia and the country, at large.
“Abia is blessed with talented kids who should be encouraged. We implore the government to identify and support the young talents to achieve their Olympic dreams, which will bring Glory and Honour to Abia State and Nigeria, as a whole.”
It was , gathered that while States like Kwara, among others, hosted their athletes who attended the Dubai and South African championships, Abia, had remained aloof even after being helped by the girls to achieve the feat of coming third in the last National Sports Festival.
It was also discovered that the athletes outings including participations in African continental and global competitions, have been sponsored by their parents, including paying their coach, with the State Sports Council, yet to come to terms with what to do to encourage them.
