The Nigeria athletes to the just-concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and others who represented the country at other international events will be given a heroic welcome by the Federal Government at the Nigeria seat of power, Aso Villa, on Thursday.

However, coach Tony will not be among the list of people that will be recognized by the number citizen of the country

Many Nigerian journalists have expressed dismay over his omisssion saying he deserves to giving national recognition

Tolulope Oguntimehin, Head of Sports for ITV Abuja and Radio, said Tony’s contribution can not be swept under the carpet

“He has contributed immensely to the growth of the sports and has done more for gymnastics than the federation”.

Joel Ajayi a reporter with Aljazira Newspaper said he deserves some accolades and his name should be among those that will receive “presidential handshake” from Mr President

“It is really sad that his name was omitted and I think the Minister needs to do something fast about this”

Sly Ofekun, Head of Sports for Kiss FM Abuja said “I am really shocked that he was not included. This is really disheartening that Tony’s name will be missing from the list. He needs to be recognized for his contribution to the sports. He has done more for gymnastics than the gymnastics federation’

Tony Asuquo, the only coach in Nigeria certified by FIG (Federation of International Gymnastics) in Aerobic and Artistic gymnastics and one of the most qualified in the country, has produced athletes who have gone ahead to make the country proud in many international competitions.

The coach has most times been overlooked in national team appointments or recognitions despite the amount of effort he has put in at the grassroots to turn around the fortune of gymnastics in the country

Some of the athletes produced by the coach and have gone ahead to represent their states and Nigeria at National Sports festivals, African Youth Game and Africa Club Championship in South Africa are
Uche eke – first Nigerian gymnast to ever compete at the Olympics (Tokyo 2020) and the kid sensation Stephanie Onisiruka who is currently the number one female gymnast in the country, Gabriella Asemota, who represented Nigeria at African Youth Games in Algeria and also Iveren Hagher, are some of the names that have passed through his tutelage with other notable athletes like Tomisin Babatunde Akwa – Ibom; Ekezie Emeka – Delta; Josh Aliyu – katsina; Jesica Anne, Goodnews Kings and
Michael kings all from Katsina State.

Others are
Stephanie Onisiriuka – Anambara; Tunnishe Akinola – Akwa Ibom;
Daniella Asemota – FCT;
Mary David, Borni
Babarinde isheoluwa Akwa – Ibom; Mohammed Aliyu – Bauchi; Sefiya Mshela – Borno as well as Abubakar Musa from Borno State

Tony International Gymnastics, TIG has been a voice for Nigerian gymnastics on the international scene by consistently competing in International club championships in South Africa, Singapore, USA and Seychelles, winning medals in these events.

TIG through Coach Tony has etched Nigeria’s name and image in global sports and it will be a well-deserving and motivating gesture that he is accorded his due recognition by the Nigerian government along with other Nigerians tomorrow.

Uche Eke , Nigeria’s only decorated male gymnast,  who won Gold at the 2019 All African games in Morocco on Monday, paid a courtesy visit to the African Pillar of Sports, who is also the current Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and his family 

The 2021 Margaret Mann awardee in company of the President of Gymnastics  Federation of Nigeria , Prince Kelvin Erhunwmunse was welcomed by Senator Kalu, his wife Mrs Ifunanya Kalu; children Olivia Kalu and Nicole Kalu in their Abuja residence.

The 21 year old Nigerian-American Gymnast who graduated from UMSI with a 4.0 GPA May 2021, has been competing and training with Michigan Gymnastics since he first came to U-M as a freshman in 2016. Uche aims to represent Nigeria at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, postponed to July 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since joining the Master’s of Science in Information (MSI) program, Uche said he found the support and stimulation he needed at UMSI to flourish academically, serve his peers as a graduate student instructor (GSI) and maintain his rigorous training regimen. 
Within his first two weeks at UMSI, the master of balance earned Nigeria’s first-ever gold medal in gymnastics at the 2019 All-African Games ⁠— and he’s not stopping there.