GYMNASTICS Federation of Nigeria President, Prince Kelvin Erhunmwunse, has commended Edo State government for its investment in sports infrastructure and the state-of-the-art facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
Erhunmwunse gave the commendation while paying a courtesy visit on the Edo State Sports Commission Chairman Yusuf Alli and the Permanent Secretary Sabina Chikere in Benin yesterday.
The GFN boss, who is also the chairman of the Edo State Gymnastics Association Board, praised Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration for the gymnastics facility in the state, which he described as the best in West Africa.
“I am proud of the government of my state and I want the governor to know that his investment in putting solid sports facilities on the ground in Edo State, particularly at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, is already yielding dividends,” Erhunmwunse said.
“Mr Chairman and honourable PS, we in the Edo Gymnastics Association Board are proud to inform you that we have two of our gymnasts who are the best in the country.
“They (Etim Eno Obong and Imran Adewole Moshood) were sponsored to Tokyo, Japan recently to train and compete with some of the world’s best and they just returned. The international trip was made possible for the two Edo gymnasts because of the interest and attention the Edo Gymnasium has attracted.”
He added that Edo State is in the forefront of sports development in Nigeria, most especially in gymnastics as a result of the solid facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium.
He revealed that an international body has approved various international gymnastics competitions to take place in Edo State soon.
While commending the Edo State government for its foresight in ensuring that the facilities at the stadium are up to world standard, Erhunmeunsee promised that his board will always complement government efforts by making sure that the gymnasium is fully utilised.
Erhunmwunse also informed the Edo Sports Commission of the approval of a gymnastic competition in the state: the Edo First Lady Gymnastic Championship.
In his response, Alli assured the visitors that the Edo government will not relent in providing the needed infrastructure for the growth of sports in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Edo State Sports Commission, Mrs Sabina Chikere, noted that the mandate of Edo State government is to make it the destination of sports in Nigeria by grooming its own athletes for future competitions.
She commended the Gymnastics Association Board for exposing some of their athletes to international competitions and urged the gymnastics body to encourage grassroots development.
