NIGERIAN ATHLETES, COACHES GET SUPPORT FOR TRAINING IN SOUTH AFRICA, DUBAI AND BIRMINGHAM

Nigerian Athletes

"GAPS is for emerging athletes and coaches from the Commonwealth. It aims to support the development of inclusive sport pathways, removing barriers to participation for people with disability and for women and girls to become actively involved in sports." 

As part of the preparations for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has developed a programme called GAPS (GATHER, ADJUST, PREPARE AND SUSTAIN) for Birmingham 2022.

According to Mohammed Manga, (the Director Press and Public Relations of the Ministry) in a statement on Thursday, on behalf of the Youth and Sports Development Ministry, "GAPS is for emerging athletes and coaches from the Commonwealth. It aims to support the development of inclusive sport pathways, removing barriers to participation for people with disability and for women and girls to become actively involved in sports. Development of coaches is fundamental, so is tackling many of the barriers and constraints that prevent participation."

"The goal of GAPS is to offer emerging athletes and coaches from Commonwealth access to additional skills, knowledge and resources. This is driven by advancing education and supporting the development of inclusive sports pathways that promote positive social change in sport and communities.

"In the light of the above, CGF and Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) have collaborated to give some qualified Para Sports athletes and coaches from 13 Commonwealth countries additional skills, knowledge and resources for preparations towards Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, of which Nigeria is a beneficiary. 

"The beneficiaries of this programme from Nigeria are from the following Sports Federations: 

Para Table Tennis - 5 Athletes and 1 Coach

Para Powerlifting - 4 Athletes and 4 Coaches

Para Athletics - 2 Athletes and 2 Coaches

"These Athletes and Coaches will be sponsored financially to participate in the programme that had already started since November/December 2021 and will last till July 2022 before the commencement of the Commonwealth Games.

"The beneficiaries(athletes and officials) are as follows:

Christiana Ikpeoyi Ifechukwu - Athlete

Maimuna Habib - Athlete

Ogunkunle Isau Olatunji - Athlete

Koleosho Ahmed        - Athlete

Olufemi Alabi - Athlete

Gift Mark Oyinyechi - Athlete

Esther Ogechika Nworgu - Athlete

Emwiobaiwi Uhunoma - Athlete

Kure Thomas - Athlete

Nwachukwu Goodness Chiemerie - Athlete

Chibuike Kennedy Ezeji - Athlete

Odebode Sunday - Coach

Pius Asaba Idowu - Coach

Ibrahim Oyewele - Coach

Ihuarulam Jude Chinedu - Coach

Oyebola Oluwakemi - Coach

Anaeto Patrick Uche - Coach

Divine Toseju Jemirigbe - Coach.

"As part of the sponsorship, CGF will provide all the necessary logistical materials such as flight tickets, visas, accommodation, feeding and allowances to participate in the events scheduled to take place in South Africa, Dubai and Birmingham." The statement conluded.