GFN signs a memorandum of understanding with the Turkish Gymnastics Federation to train coaches and judges

The Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Turkish Gymnastics Federation to train Nigerian coaches with their judges in different gymnastics disciplines.

GFN President Prince Kelvin Erhunwunse revealed this after a successful World Congress in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday 9 October.

The UAG Zone 2 vice president said the partnership with the Turkish Gymnastics Federation would also help Nigeria with equipment and the development of a training center that could benefit other African countries.

He said the agreement would provide an opportunity for Nigerian coaches and judges to receive training and enhance their technical knowledge in different disciplines.

He said: “I was in Istanbul to sign an agreement with the Turkish Gymnastics Federation. The agreement aims to help Nigeria with equipment. We also discussed building a center where some African countries can come and camp.

“The main agreement was the provision to train our coaches in all disciplines and a judge alongside them. This will help us improve the technical level of gymnastics in Nigeria.”

The GFN president added that the Turkish Gymnastics Federation had also granted permission to Nigeria to prepare its athletes in Turkey ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2027 African Games in Egypt.

He said: “Turkey has granted us permission to prepare our athletes for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2027 African Games in Egypt, where they will have the opportunity to train and compete with champions.”

Erhunwunse also revealed that the World Congress in Thailand provided an opportunity for the federation to reach agreements with China, Japan and Azerbaijan on camp opportunities for junior and senior Nigerian gymnasts.

He said: “In Thailand, during the World Congress, I was able to establish comprehensive agreements with China, Japan and Azerbaijan to give us the opportunity to bring our junior and senior athletes to camp for six months.

“What we need to do is provide logistical funds for the athletes, while they will take care of hotel accommodation and food. This is a great opportunity for us to expose our athletes to high-level training and competition.”