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.

Sports Minister Sunday Dare is optimistic Team Nigeria will be very competitive at the 2022 Commonwealth Games starting in Birmingham, United Kingdom next week.

The Minister said Nigerian athletes are fit and ready for the Games because the past few months have sharpened and toughened them for the challenges ahead.

Speaking during a farewell dinner organised for Team Nigeria by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing at her residence in Abuja on Thursday, Dare assured that Nigeria will excel in Birmingham.

His words: “The last few months have toughened our athletes. As I speak now, some of them are in Eugene, Oregon, United States of America for the World Athletics Championships. Before now, some were in Mauritius for the African Senior Athletics Championships.

“By being part of these competitions, I can say that Team Nigeria is fit and ready. We will compete with determination and fairly. As a Ministry, we have tried to provide resources as much as we can afford for our athletes to be well prepared and we are sure of great success.”

In her welcome address, the British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing expressed delight at the opportunity to host Team Nigeria to a farewell reception, extending special appreciation to the Sports Minister Sunday Dare and the president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee(NOC) Engineer Habu Gumel for making it happen.

According to her, “I know the Team Nigeria athletes will do this nation proud. I know they have worked extremely hard, put in so many hours of training and competing to represent Nigeria.

“Do not forget those sacrifices you have made, and use that memory, that muscle memory, that energy to pull through your most challenging moments. In the end it is only you who can give your best.”

Describing Birmingham, the venue of the Commonwealth Games, as a modern and bustling metropolis and one of the most diverse cities as well as being a truly multicultural destination, Laing revealed that it has thousands of members of the Nigerian diaspora living there so African and Nigerian delicacies would be within reach, adding in the pidgin language that “I know say una go do well. Make una carry plenty medals come o!”

In his own remarks, the president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee(NOC) Engineer Habu Gumel charged the Nigerian athletes to be good ambassadors.

He thanked Catriona Laing for hosting the team and expressed confidence in the ability of Birmingham to host the rest of the Commonwealth successfully.

Nigeria will be competing in nine sports at the Games. The sports are; Athletics, Boxing, Judo, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Table Tennis, Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting and Para Table Tennis.

Mr Adetula who also doubles as the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Olympic Committee will over see the establishment and development of Teqball in Ondo state.

In a letter signed by the General Secretary, Nigeria Teqball Federation, Ndudi E. Edede, Phemmy Adetula will also choose his executive board to pilot the affairs of the association in the sunshine state.

“You will accomplish all task of the association including: administration, registration related to the establishment and development of the State Teqball Association on pro tem basis from the aforementioned date”.

Speaking on his appointment Oluphemmy Adetula revealed that he is up to the challenge of establishing Ondo state as one of the best place for Teqball using the human resources the sunshine state is blessed with.

“This is a good opportunity to promote the sport of Teqball as well as provide the teeming youths of Ondo state a chance to be early adopters of this unique sport and dominate in no distant time”.

NIGTEQ is recognized by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the International Federation of Teqball (FITEQ), the International Sport Federation responsible for the worldwide management, practice, development and promotion of the sports.

(Futball Galore)

HAVING RESPONDED TO THE INVITATION OF THE SAID RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE, THE PRESIDENT IS NOT PREDISPOSED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE SO-CALLED INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE SET UP BY MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION WHO WERE SUSPENDED BY THE CONGRESS OF THE FEDERATION AT ITS EXTRA-ORDINARY CONGRESS MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019 IN AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE.

THE SO-CALLED INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE IS ILLEGAL AS IT DOES NOT HAVE THE BACKING OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ATHLETICS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA, 2017.

WHILE AWAITING THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE, THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT HON. ENGR. IBRAHIM SHEHU-GUSAU REMAINS THE AUTHENTIC PRESIDENT OF THE ATHLETICS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA (AFN). ANYONE RELATING WITH ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS ON MATTERS CONCERNING THE ATHLETICS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA, DOES SO AT THEIR OWN RISK.

Signed:
HON. ENGR. IBRAHIM SHEHU-GUSAU

For the past 30months FIBA is still studying the final draft constitution submitted by the stakeholders from Nigeria.

Meanwhile, it empowered its surrogates in Nigeria and they have gone for the overkill of anyone suspected of not being in their camp.

International and national referees were barred from officiating and some call ups for international duties were stopped.

Technical Commissioners and Statisticians suffered the same fate. Coaches were discarded like used pure water sachets.

Kwese league teams continuously had a sword of Damocles hanging over their heads and some got numerous letters threatening to ban them.

League teams became persona non grata at the National stadiums in Lagos and Abuja.

Teams could not use Rowe Park or Teslim Balogun sports-hall all because one power drunk man was empowered by FIBA by one vague comment that they continuously refused to clarify.

Are stakeholders aggrieved against Kida? Ask google! The Kida ill advised policy of exclusion of some stakeholders from anything basketball is the greatest injustice meted on innocent game officials and players.

NOC, please rise to your responsibility and redeem your image before the federations in Nigeria.

FIBA requested you broker peace and for almost 8 months the erstwhile Tunde Popoola refused to do anything or convey a peace meeting.

Take over the process today otherwise the courts in Switzerland would render you completely impotent.

FIBA, you cannot force a federation of your choice on any country in the world. This can only happen in Nigeria and it is doomed to fail no matter for how long you prop it up.

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