Joel Ajayi
In its style to celebrate hard work, the Tony Asuquo Gymnastic TIG on Saturday gathered its athletes for the just concluded National Youth Games NYG where one of the best club TIG athletes out of 15 medals won 13 for their various states.
Speaking in a press conference the founder of TIG Tony Asuquo heaped praises on a team that comprises young children who represent their various teams as he described the performance as top-notch while he promised to help grow Nigerian sports if called on.
According to him, we are all here to celebrate our athletes that been representing Nigeria in different countries and at this time. We went for the NYG in Asaba TIG Represented five states and we won 13 medals out of the 16 medals at the competition.
“TIG gymnastic club has come a long way and we have very dedicated coaches we drafted our home programs and we are working with that seriously, we try 6 to 7 our every day aside from Sunday.
“The girls here trained hard to represent Nigeria at the Olympics, at TIG we have arrays of athletes that can win medals for Nigeria at any competition.
“If these children can be given a chance they will even do more for Nigeria though the system is working against us we have determined not to compromise and TIG is very much available to grow Nigerian sports.
“The performances of our athletes were spectacular but even though the mats were good enough for us, we managed, they had broken ankles, kneeled”.
He, however, urged for a holistic approach and fair officiating for the game, saying fair officiating can help grow Nigeria’s sports
While providing solutions to some of the challenges of Nigerian sports, Coach Asuquo urges federations to back to grassroots development programs to grow sports, as well as putting the right people in sports.
“The sports industry needs to be ready through physical preparation from the Local level to the Federal level.
“There is a need to revive the sponsorship of athletes in Nigeria as well as the donation of equipment for athletes”.
