By OUR CORRESPONDENT
A 12 year old gymnast wonder kid, Stephanie Onusiriuka, is set for a two-year tour of the United Kingdom where she is expected to develop skills that will propel her to the top of her career. The multiple award winner, will on Sunday, June 25, 2023, leave Nigeria for the United Kingdom specifically to one of the biggest gymnastics clubs in the world, the Leeds Gymnastics Club in Central London.
Anthony Asuquo, Stephanie’s coach at TIG Gymnastics Club Abuja, said the London tour will not only expose the girl to best of facilities but will also make her to compete with the best in the world and also learn the latest skills in gymnastics.
The coach however called on the government to provide an enabling environment for young and established gymnasts in the country by providing international standard equipment for them to train with and be exposed to latest gymnastics skills.
“We are happy that Stephanie is going to the United Kingdom to improve her skills. She is going on a training tour of Central London in one of the biggest gymnastics clubs, the Leeds Gymnastics Club, for two years where she will be exposed to better equipment. We believe that she will come back to represent Nigeria in future competitions and win laurels for the country.
“We don’t want her talents to waste because many in the past do not have this type of opportunity and nobody heard from them again. We are appealing to the government to help with gymnastics equipment to train our children and make them compete favourably with their counterparts from around the globe. We are preparing her for the next Olympic Games and World Championships, Commonwealth Games and All Africa Games, we are ready,” the coach said.
Stephanie thanked her parents for the support saying her target is to represent Nigeria at the Olympics.
“I feel very happy because my parents have done a lot for me to be able to get to where I am today. They have worked so very hard for me to get visa and finally I will be going to the UK . I’m looking forward to learn the difficult skills and be able to go to Olympics one day.”
Stephanie’s mother, Amaka, said the hard work of her daughter has paid off saying her girl now have the opportunity to train with one of the best equipment in the UK and represent Nigeria at the Olympics in future.
