Sole Gombe athlete wins three gold medals, fans slam Gombe governor

• Sports ministry adopts gymnast
Sports fans, yesterday, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, criticised the government of Gombe State for allegedly failing to present a team at the ongoing Eighth National Youth Games (NYG).

The fans expressed their anger at the indoor sports hall of the stadium following the exploits of a 13-year-old gymnast, Simone Munyal Kwairanga, who was privately sponsored to the Games by her parents. Kwairanga won three gold medals for the state.

Last year, when Delta State also hosted the seventh edition of the Games, Gombe State was represented by only its athletics team, which was sponsored by the Chairman of Gombe State Athletics Association, Shuaibu Gara-Gombe.

The alleged failure of Gombe State government to release funds for the state contingent to compete in the 2023 edition forced the young Kwairanga to take her trade to Team Ogun, but she was denied a place on the podium over improper NIN registration.

This time around, the 13-year-old Kwairanga registered as the sole representative of the state, and her efforts were rewarded with three gold medals. She won gold in the Floor Exercise event, Beam and Best All Round.

However, as the young Kwairanga and her mother were celebrating the gold medals inside the Gymnastic Hall, some fans were busy venting their anger on Gombe State Governor, Mohammad Inuwa Yahaya, for his alleged insensitivity to youth sports development.
   
“It is obvious that the governor of Gombe State is not interested in the National Youth Games because this is the second time under his watch that the state has failed to sponsor a contingent to the National Youth Games. It is not a good story that only one athlete, who is privately sponsored is representing Gombe here in