The Lagos State Gymnastics Association has partnered with the International Gymnastics Federation in a bid to reposition the sport in Nigeria reports Completesports.com.
At a stakeholders’ meeting organised at the Upbeat Recreation Centre, Lekki, Lagos, the two organisations identified key areas to work on, with a viewing to improving the acceptance of gymnastics in Lagos.
Solutions on how to make the sport a financially-rewarding activity for gymnasts and coaches were also proffered and arrived at during the meeting.
Speaking at the event, Chairperson of LSGA, Moyo Ogunseinde, emphasised that the time had come for gymnastics to be included in schools’ curriculum in Lagos and in fact Nigeria so that young talents
could be identified and nurtured early.
Ogunseinde, who has brought in new innovations and constantly engaged with relevant stakeholders since taking over the leadership of the association a few months ago, said that her team was working
tirelessly to improve the welfare of athletes and coaches in the sport.
While unveiling a four-year developmental plan for gymnastics in Lagos, she expressed belief that through increased collaborations and sponsorships, the sport could be one of the most popular activities
among the young and old.
“As an organisation, we are working closely with key stakeholders in gymnastics including coaches and athletes to further develop the game,”Ogunseinde told Completesports.com.
“Our target is to make the sport a household activity not just in Lagos but in Nigeria as a whole and it, for this reason, we are clamouring for it to be included in the curriculum of schools in the state.”
“We believe that in the next four years, the plans that we have outlined will no doubt have a significant impact on the development of gymnastics in this country.”
Commending LSGA for the initiative, Development Officer for Africa, FIG, Tseko Mogotsi, pointed out that there was a need for more funding in order to properly position the sport on the continent.
He said; “Funding is a big problem for gymnastics in Africa and that is why we must mobilise all available resources to drive the sport forward.”
“With the new strategies that we have drawn in partnership with LSGA, we are confident that in the next few years, gymnastics will get the type of attention it deserves in Lagos and in Nigeria.”
