Lizzy Carr
Bauchi State has emerged the overall best gymnast team at the just concluded maiden edition of the North East Zonal gymnastics competition.
The 5-day competition, tagged ‘Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammad’ competition, took place at the Sani Abacha Gymnasium, Bauchi with participating gymnasts from Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe States.
Isa Usman won two gold medals for Bauchi in the floor exercise men and vaulting horse men.
13 years old Munyel Simone kwairanga representing Gombe state also won two gold medals in Floor exercise and vaulting horse women.
Speaking to our correspondent after the event, Munyel expressed happiness over her performance at the competition.
” I have participated in many gymnastics competition both within and outside the country and that has fetch me many laurels”.
National President, Gymnastics Association of Nigeria, Prince Erhunmwunse represented by the Vice president, Abba Mohammad said gymnastics competition is to showcase the potentials of sports of gymnastics and to hunt for talents in the zone.
” For 5 days these gymnasts have demonstrated talents despite many challenges, I therefore called the the Bauchi State ministry of Youths and Sports to provide modern equipments at the Gymnasium and organise more competitions to keep the gymnasts busy”.
Bauchi state first lady, Aisha Bala Mohammad who witnessed the closing ceremony said she was impressed with the performance of the gymnasts promising her support to grassroot sporting activities.
The Commissioner of Youths and Sports Development Salees Mohammad said to reposition Bauchi as the Mecca of Sports emphasized the importance of sports, the ministry is to organise a Sports festival.
” I want a situation where we will have athletes on the ground that can represent the state in any sporting competition which is why the sports festival will be organised to hunt for talents”.
The Bauchi State first lady Aisha Bala Mohammad received an award along side the commissioner of Youths and Sports Salees Mohammad and Director of Bauchi State Sports Council Usman Yusuf
A special award was given to a parent who sponsored his daughter to the competition Simone kwairanga.