Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, on Thursday advised gymnasts to combine their career with education in order to better their future.
Dalung gave the advice while receiving the team Tony International Gymnastic that represented Nigeria at the just concluded Africa Gymnastic Level System tournament in South Africa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team won 22 medals: 10 gold, six sliver and six bronze.
According to him, gymnastic is one sport not only interesting, but also an Olympic sport.
”If you have chosen to be gymnast, I think you have made a good decision.
“All that you need to do is to be discipline.
”You need to have respect, work hard to get to the peak of your career, listen to your coaches and go for training regularly.
”If you come to training today and don’t come again, you are going to be disconnected from the training and cannot make good progress.
” I want to encourage you to continue with the training, government will continue to support and encourage you to ensure you have a good future in your chosen sport, ” he said.
Dalung expressed confident in the team, adding that they would represent Nigeria in gymnastics, come 2022 Olympics Games.
The minister supported the team with N200, 000 to ensure that the gymnasts continue their training.
Responding on behalf of the team, Tony Asuquo, Head coach of the team, thanked Nigerians and the Minister for their support in ensuring the growth of gymnastic in Nigeria.
“I thank God and Nigerians who stood by us, especially parents of these Gymnasts”, he said.
NAN reports that the Africa Gymnastic Level System is an annual inter club Gymnastic competition hosted by University of Pretoria, South Africa. (NAN)
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