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The Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN) has elected new officers to lead the federation for the next four years.
The election, which took place on Saturday at the Dalchifit Hotel, Gwarimpa, Abuja, saw Prince Kelvin Erhunwmunse was re-elected as president with 33 votes, while Alhaji Abba Mohammed Inuwa was elected as vice president with 32 votes.
The exercise, monitored and observed by the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), also included the emergence of athletes’ representatives, technical representatives, as well as board members from the six geopolitical zones.
While Adamu Michael Yakubu and Catherine Sasuede emerged as Athletes’ Representative and Technical Representative respectively, Bolanle Kayode Ajayi was voted as zonal representative for South West; Hebert Helen, South South; Dr Anthonia Uwa, South East; Sunday John, North Central; Mary Ibrahim, North West and Abba Mohammed Inuwa for North East.
speaking with journalists after the election, assured the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the NOC of more successes, saying the board will take Nigeria to the highest level of gymnastics in the world.
He added that the board will do its best to serve Nigeria’s interests at all times, especially in making sure that the country’s coaches and judges get the deserved international recognition.
“We’re ready to make our marks and register our presence. The next four years will be for our coaches and judges to be recognised internationally. We’ll do our best to make sure that we take Nigeria to the next level in the world, as we look forward to more successes and also take Nigeria to the highest level of gymnastics in the world.
“Eight years ago, I made a promise to take Nigerian gymnastics to new heights, from near obscurity to international recognition, including the Olympics. Many doubted it, but today, that vision has been fulfilled. Under my leadership, Nigeria became the first West African nation to qualify for gymnastics at the Olympic Games, placing the country firmly on the continental and global gymnastics map.
“We’ve moved from glory to glory. Now, my focus is on strengthening club development, instilling discipline and building robust national junior and senior teams capable of competing globally,” the GFN President stated.
While lauding the leadership qualities of the NSC chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko and the Director General, Bukola Olopade, Erhunwmunse said the Federation is working tirelessly to tackle the issue of equipment and facilities as he revealed that 15 states are already pencilled down to receive acrobatic gymnastics equipment through partnership.
The President of the NOC, Alhaji Habu Gumel, who was represented by the Secretary General, Tunde Popoola, commended the Federation for conducting a credible and election which he said is backed by the GFN’s constitution, describing it as ‘democracy in action’.
He said, “The Congress of any Federation is the most powerful body and it determines what happens within the Federation. I appreciate the coordination displayed by the delegates in following the constitution. I saw democracy at play here. Hope the election will not have any issues so that there won’t be bad blood at the end of the day.
“Your constitution backs what you are doing. We’re here to uphold the values which the International Olympic Committee preaches and that’s democracy, which is key in whatever we do. The synergy between the NSC and the NOC is very cordial and it will continue.
“What you have done here today is very significant, especially for the young athletes we serve. For many of us, gymnastics is more than a sport. It’s a passion, a calling. It demands full commitment and what we witnessed here was a commendable demonstration of that dedication.”
