BEVERLY HILLS, April 14, (THEWILL) – In one of the most inspiring stories to come out of the eventful 20th edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF), which concludes today in Benin City, is the narrative of the 10-year-old athlete, Stephanie Onusiriuka, who represented Team Anambra and helped increase the medal tally of the state by taking home a medal in every medal category.
The gymnast, who used her opportunity in the limelight to appeal for all-round support to help her realise her dream of participating in the Olympics, won a gold medal in aerobics, a silver medal each in the “Floor” and “Best-All-Round” category, and a bronze medal on Beam exercise events.
Speaking after her victories, Onusiriuka, a first-time participant in the biennial national sports fiesta revealed her excitement about her medal-winning debut: “I feel very happy because this is my first National Sports Festival. Although I was scared of the other opponents at some point because they were doing ‘double back,’ ‘double Arabian’ and ‘falling.’
“In the next 10 years, I see myself in the Olympics. But I ask the government to give us better equipment so that I can be able to do my ‘double back’ myself.”
Stephanie’s mother, Amaka Onusiriuka, who accompanied her daughter, was also in high spirits: “I feel so happy and proud because I have been supporting her all this while, taking her to the gym and helping her build her talent.”
She joined in her daughter’s plea for support: “The Anambra state government is doing its best for the sports festival, but Stephanie actually needs more support for her to go for her training tours outside the country.
“I see Stephanie winning medals in the Olympics before or in the next 10 years. But I would need people to sponsor her trips and her competitions because she won a gold medal when she went to South Africa two years ago at just eight years old, and it was all from my pocket, no support from anybody.
“I feel if anybody is willing to support her and make her dream come true, we would really appreciate it. She has four countries to tour beginning in June: Seychelles, South Africa, U.S. Dubai (UAE), and she also has other competitions.
“If anybody sees the talents she has and is willing to support her, we will appreciate it.”
Also making the point for support for the talented gymnast was Tony Asuquo, Onusiriuka’s coach. He added: “We are going to Seychelles, and we are going to South Africa for a training tour in the University of Pretoria.
“We have a competition in Boston and another in Dubai if the pandemic allows, but all we need for Stephanie is support.
“Anybody that is ready to support her, any Nigerian that can invest in this girl (Stephanie), your money will not be a waste, I promise you.
“She is only 10 years old, and she is already performing an Olympic standard skill in that class.
“Stephanie’s parents are not that rich to sponsor her here and there. But I believe we have Nigerians that can do this for us.”
This is the practical essence of the NSF. Budding talents like Onusiriuka willing to excel are to be granted government, corporate and private individual support that can propel them to the maturity of their gifts and excellence in their preferred sports to carry them to the pinnacle for their honour and that of the country as a whole.
Onusiriuka is just one of many such talents spread across the length and breadth of the country and the way she is supported and encouraged to grow can be a shining light of example for these gifted and young sports-minded boys the girls to decide to sharpen their gifts, embrace the competitive spirit of sports and get similar support and excel.
It will also spur those young ones who may have never thought of sporting careers to consider it and could end up being the path out of poverty for many and a much better alternative to a life of crime. That is part of the basics of the NSF and why it is an important fabric of the material for unity and progress in Nigeria.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
