By Zainab Faruq
Bauchi State’s First Lady, Hajiya Aishatu Bala Muhammad, has reaffirmed the commitment of the present administration in supporting sports activities to nurture talented youths in gymnastics.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the first edition of the Hajiya Dr. Aisha Baba Abdulkadir Muhammad Northeast Zonal Gymnastic Championship, held at the General Sani Abacha Gymnasium in Bauchi, the First Lady emphasized that the competition aims to discover young gymnasts from the northeast region, aged 13 years and above, who have the potential to become elite athletes.
Winners from this championship will represent their various states of the northeast region in the 8th National Youth Games, scheduled to take place in September 2024 in Asaba, Delta State, as well as the 22nd National Sports Festivals in Abeokuta 2024.
Hajiya Aishatu Bala Muhammad who was represented by the wife of the secretary of the state government Habiba Ibrahim Kashim congratulated the winners and commended the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria and the management of the Bauchi State Sports Council for their tireless efforts in ensuring the success of the competition.
Highlighting the importance of representing their respective states, the First Lady reminded the participants that they are ambassadors and urged them to work hard to make their states proud.
At the end of the event, the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria honored Hajiya Aishatu Bala Muhammad with an award for being the first person to host the championship.
Bauchi State emerged as the overall winner of the competition, scoring 85.72 points and the trophy was presented to them by the wife of the Bauchi State Governor, Hajiya Aishatu Bala Muhammad.
