In deciding whether to embark on charity work, perhaps the first question to ask yourself is, “What is my aim?” It is important one asks what the aim of his or her career is going to be.
Is it to make money or to assist others who do not have the opportunities?? But if you feel passionately about the less privileged and disadvantaged, then charity work is for you. This is the tale of a sport loving Australian parent, Robyn Ogunbambi, who due to lack of organised activities in Abuja to catch young talents in gymnastics, decided to run gymnastic classes at no cost for kids in order to take them off the streets after school.
Robyn who spoke to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND Sports during Gymnastics Grading Day organised by her club, Robyn and Salma Gymnast, said she got her inspiration to help children in Abuja after observing the numerous benefits children in the UK enjoy from gymnastic facilities during holidays. “During the holiday breaks, our children have enjoyed positive gymnastic experiences in London at both ‘The Little Gym’ (Chiswick) and at the ‘Richmond Gymnastic Association.’? Exposure to these clubs inspired me to create more gymnastic opportunities for the children in Abuja,” she said.
She said she started the after school club gymnastic programme purposely to get her two kids trained, but because of lack of events for kids in Abuja, she could not resist the pressure from parents to allow their children join hers. “The gymnastic group was started by me simply to get dedicated lessons from a gymnastics coach. Anthony Asuquo, whom I employed for my two children, had requests from my friends to join and I could not refuse due to the lack of organised activities in Abuja.
“My friend, Salma (Mrs Assalama Cisse) requested that her daughter Aminata (aged seven years) join and offered to run classes at her home in an outdoor area in addition to my home classes in our gymnasium in our apartment building.? We both purchased four large padded mats.? They are not as professional as we would like, but the best you can get in Nigeria without importing.? We still have people calling to join our club and even after Saturday’s event, several people requested to join. However, we are full and now seek a larger venue so that we can accept new members.
“Our home classes were very appealing to my friends.? As a result, they have unintentionally grown into a group of 26 children, meeting 1-2 times weekly at two home locations.? The focus has been on floor skills, limited by our equipment of floor mats and a small trampoline.? This has given the gymnasts aged 3-7 years a good foundation to the sport,” she said.
Roybn who expressed satisfaction with the mental strength approach of the kids to the sport, however revealed that her desire to expand the club to more kids? trained in sport, is not getting the supports of the Gymnastic Federation of Nigeria (GFN) and the National Sports Commission (NSC). “We have all been amazed with the development of the children both with their physical ability as well as their mental strength to approach challenges.? Social benefits have also been derived from being part of the club and mixing with children from different schools.
“There is without a doubt, a very clear opportunity to increase the membership rate of gymnastics in Abuja.? Without any marketing, numerous people have contacted me to join our home classes. Unfortunately we have had to decline them due to limited space.? I requested the support of GFN in the form of making the “Gymnastic Hall at the Package B” of the National Stadium, Abuja, available to us as the premier gymnastic destination with regular classes and events.? The parents are willing to pay for the coaching and administrative operational support of the club, while we request that the government would be responsible for the infrastructure and the working order of facilities (lighting, air-conditioning, bathrooms, safety of facilities etc, but still waiting on the verdict from the Gymnastic Federation.?
“As I mentioned to you, I received a call from the president of the GFN Nigeria, Mr Adefemi, who was most positive about my proposal.? He said that they would meet with me at the National Championships however and unfortunately, they were not present at the times that I was there on three consecutive days.? I put a call to one of the board members however and have not had my call returned yet.? I am hopeful that something will come out of it,” she enthused.
According to her, Anthony Asuquo, a former gymnast and an experienced coach has demonstrated enough? ability as a very effective communicator with children and has excellent skills in guiding them to higher levels and safety. “The number of students in Abuja under Anthony’s instruction totals 105, demonstrating an increasing level of demand together with a high level of continuity through re-enrolment.? This is made up of both home classes and school club programs as follows:? American International School of Abuja (25), French International School of Abuja (18), International Community School (24), Placemat Private School (8), Private home class (4) and Private home class (Robyn & Salma’s) (26).
“Tony is motivated to advance the skills of his students.? He is taking proactive steps to make the existing program more professional by introducing the “International Gymnastic Levelling System” across all of his teaching platforms in Abuja.
“To achieve this, I hope to gain the support of the GFN to utilise the Gymnastic Hall Package B of the National Stadium, Abuja.? Gymnastics as a sport would become a vibrant and very attractive youth activity for the city – opening opportunities for regular instructional classes, holiday camps, competitions, inter-school competitions, national and international competitions,” she stated further.