The Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN) has appointed 44 coaches and technical officials to oversee the country’s national gymnastics teams as it prepares for major competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The appointments, contained in a statement signed by the federation’s Technical Director, Rose Verisimo, cover Artistic Gymnastics, Aerobic Gymnastics, Trampoline, Double Mini-Trampoline (DMT), Tumbling, Parkour, Acrobatics, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Gymnastics for All.
Key Highlights
- The GFN named 44 coaches and technical officials for its national teams.
- The appointments span several gymnastics disciplines and age categories.
- Isaiah Oni Erhunwunse will lead the senior men’s artistic gymnastics team.
- Helen Albert was named senior women’s artistic gymnastics head coach.
- Edina Ahue will lead the senior Aerobic Gymnastics team.
- The federation says the appointments are part of its preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
GFN Strengthens National Teams Ahead of 2028 Olympics
The federation said the appointments are intended to strengthen the national teams’ technical structure and provide a coordinated development pathway for Nigerian gymnasts.
GFN President Prince Kelvin Erhunwunse said the coaches were selected based on their experience, dedication and achievements in their respective disciplines.
He said the federation was focused on developing athletes capable of winning medals at international championships and qualifying a strong Nigerian contingent for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“Preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics begins now, and we are putting the right technical crew in place to achieve this vision,” Erhunwunse said.
He urged the newly appointed coaches to approach their responsibilities with discipline, professionalism and teamwork. The appointment announcement was also reported by Sports247.
Artistic Gymnastics Coaches Appointed
For Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG), Isaiah Oni Erhunwunse was appointed senior team head coach, with Bala Magaji Juwara and Anthony Duilemi as assistants. Kennedy Osawaro will head the junior men’s team, assisted by Jimoh Wasiu and Jimoh Azeez.
In Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG), Helen Albert was named senior team head coach, with Edem Umor Patric and Emmanuel Enejo as assistants. Abosede Olatundun Oladele will lead the junior women’s team, supported by Deborah Ajiboye and Noel Egbunu.
Trampoline, DMT, Tumbling and Aerobic Teams
For Trampoline, Double Mini-Trampoline and Tumbling, Dorcas Abel will serve as head coach of the senior men’s team, assisted by Osamudiamwenam Amennaghawon. Osasu Obasohan will lead the senior women’s team, with Godwin Bamidele and Awokunle Ojo as assistants.
The junior men’s team will be overseen by Michael Jos, Stephen Taiwo and Christopher Akhidenor, while Adekemi Ademuwagun, David Egbunu and Ashiagu Charles will handle the junior women’s team.
In Aerobic Gymnastics, Edina Ahue has been appointed senior team head coach, with David West Tamunuosaki and Jennifer Eke as assistants. Michael Ocheke will head the junior team, assisted by Dimeji Aluko and Toyosi Glory Adeyemi.
Parkour, Acrobatics and Rhythmic Gymnastics
In Parkour, Victoria Itodo will serve as senior women’s head coach, while Olorunfemi Samuel Adeyemi will head the senior men’s team. Davidson Erhunwunse was appointed junior men’s head coach, and Stephen Soyimiegha will serve as women’s team assistant coach.
For Acrobatics, Elkana Sabo will lead the senior team, assisted by Friday Omigie. Kunle Adedoyin will head the junior team, with Amos Dauda as assistant coach.
In Rhythmic Gymnastics, Cathrine Sasode was appointed senior team head coach and general coordinator, with Valentina Ojo as assistant. Chinedu Oyegbata will head the junior team, assisted by Praise Amsey.
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Gymnastics for All and Administrative Appointments
Lesli Amadi was named head coordinator for Gymnastics for All, with Kayode Olusegun Adesola and Maureen Ugiagbe as assistants.
Other appointments include Dr Uwa Anthonia as Safeguard Officer, Mrs Mary Ibrahim as Anti-Doping Officer, Rose Verisimo as Technical Director and Otasowie Alexander Erhunwunse as Gymnastics Developmental Director.
Full List of GFN National Team Coaches
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG)
Senior team: Helen Albert — Head Coach; Edem Umor Patric — Assistant Coach 1; Emmanuel Enejo — Assistant Coach 2.
Junior team: Abosede Olatundun Oladele — Head Coach; Deborah Ajiboye — Assistant Coach 1; Noel Egbunu — Assistant Coach 2.
Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG)
Senior team: Isaiah Oni Erhunwunse — Head Coach; Bala Magaji Juwara — Assistant Coach 1; Anthony Duilemi — Assistant Coach 2.
Junior team: Kennedy Osawaro — Head Coach; Jimoh Wasiu — Assistant Coach 1; Jimoh Azeez — Assistant Coach 2.
Aerobic Gymnastics
Senior team: Edina Ahue — Head Coach; David West Tamunuosaki — Assistant Coach 1; Jennifer Eke — Assistant Coach 2.
Junior team: Michael Ocheke — Head Coach; Dimeji Aluko — Assistant Coach 1; Toyosi Glory Adeyemi — Assistant Coach 2.
Trampoline, DMT and Tumbling
Senior men: Dorcas Abel — Head Coach; Osamudiamwenam Amennaghawon — Assistant Coach 1.
Senior women: Osasu Obasohan — Head Coach; Godwin Bamidele — Assistant Coach 1; Awokunle Ojo — Assistant Coach 2.
Junior men: Michael Jos — Head Coach; Stephen Taiwo — Assistant Coach 1; Christopher Akhidenor — Assistant Coach 2.
Junior women: Adekemi Ademuwagun — Head Coach; David Egbunu — Assistant Coach 1; Ashiagu Charles — Assistant Coach 2.
Parkour
Victoria Itodo — Senior Women Head Coach; Olorunfemi Samuel Adeyemi — Senior Men Head Coach; Davidson Erhunwunse — Junior Men Head Coach; Stephen Soyimiegha — Women’s Team Assistant Coach.
Acrobatics
Senior team: Elkana Sabo — Head Coach; Friday Omigie — Assistant Coach 1.
Junior team: Kunle Adedoyin — Head Coach; Amos Dauda — Assistant Coach 1.
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Senior team/general coordinator: Cathrine Sasode — Head Coach; Valentina Ojo — Assistant Coach 1.
Junior team: Chinedu Oyegbata — Head Coach; Praise Amsey — Assistant Coach 1.
Gymnastics for All and Administration
Gymnastics for All coordinators: Lesli Amadi — Head Coach; Kayode Olusegun Adesola — Assistant Coach 1; Maureen Ugiagbe — Assistant Coach 2.
Other appointments: Dr Uwa Anthonia — Safeguard Officer; Mrs Mary Ibrahim — Anti-Doping Officer; Rose Verisimo — Technical Director; Otasowie Alexander Erhunwunse — Gymnastics Developmental Director.
Erhunwunse said the federation’s long-term objective is to produce Nigerian gymnasts capable of competing successfully at continental and global levels. He urged the coaches to work collectively to develop the next generation of athletes.
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