Re- post
Prince Kelvin Erhunwmunse was Saturday re-elected as President of the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria, GFN for a third consecutive term.
Erhunwmunse who was unopposed, secured all 33 votes cast, while Alhaji Mohammed Abba Inuwa emerged as the new Vice President, polling 32 votes. Elections into the board representing the six geopolitical zones were also conducted.
Meanwhile, the election which took place in Gwarinpa, Abuja was adjudged to be transparent, free and fair by all the delegates from 32 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT including those who lost. Also recall that representatives of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC and international bodies were in attendance to witness the elections.
While speaking to the media, Prince Erhunwmunse who was elated said when he first emerged and promised that Nigeria was going to be represented at the Olympics, he was mocked but today, it is a different ball game.
His words, “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.”
While commending the Chairman and the Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade respectively, Erhunwmunse urged the Sports Commission to consider States that have facilities before giving hosting rights any of them.
His words, “In our last meeting with the Sports Commission, I said if we want sports to grow in this country, the first criteria to consider before giving hosting rights to anyone that wants to host the Festival or Youth Games, is that they must have standard equipment in place.”
He further revealed that under his leadership, Nigeria became the first West African country to qualify for gymnastics at the Olympic Games and won a gold medal; and also hosted Africa’s first-ever international gymnastics coaching course in Abuja, attracting experts from Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, and other nations.
“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. They came to Nigeria because they believe in what we are building here. This has never happened before on African soil,” he said.
Prince Kelvin concluded by saying, “This international recognition has opened doors for Nigeria to receive equipment donations, training opportunities, and institutional partnerships from global gymnastics bodies.”
