As part of the preparations for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has developed a programme called GAPS (Gather, Adjusr, Prepare and Sustain) for Birmingham 2022.
Director Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement said 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.”
According to the statement, 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, the statement indicated that the 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.
He listed the beneficiaries (athletes and officials) to include
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 and Chibuike Kennedy Ezeji – Athlete,
Others are Odebode Sunday – Coach, Pius Asaba Idowu – Coach,
Ibrahim Oyewele – Coach,
Ihuarulam Jude Chinedu – Coach,
Oyebola Oluwakemi – Coach, Anaeto Patrick Uche – Coach and 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.