Joy Udo-Gabriel, a Commonwealth Games 4x100m bronze medalist, on Wednesday said she couldn’t have achieved the feat without her sponsor, ARCO Groups.
The 18-year-old Udo-Gabriel told a news conference in Lagos that since she got the sponsorship in 2016, she had been able to combine schooling with sports.
She said: “I want to thank God and ARCO Groups who are my sponsor because I have enjoyed combining sports with education.
“I also want to thank Making of Champions Athletics Club for discovering me at the Top Sprinters then. I will not say it has been easy but it has been enjoyable.
“With the sponsorship, all I have to think about is to get better in my races and also focus on my education.’’
The University of Lagos Law undergraduate, said that she felt happy to be among the athletes that did the country proud at the Games held from April 4 to April 15 in Australia.
Udo-Gabriel said: “The experience I got at the Games was awesome; I got to meet top athletes and competed with them. While running my races, I didn’t even realise that there was crowd.
“For me, the experience was an eye-opener.’’
On her chances in the upcoming International Association of Athletics Federations World Junior Championships scheduled for July, the athlete said that she would do her best.
She said: “I hope to be at the World Junior in July, not just to participate, but to win gold or silver medal.’’
Meanwhile, Alfred Omoigun, the Managing Director of ARCO Groups, said that because of Udo-Gabriel’s sterling performances, the company would extend its sponsorship to 2022.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the initial sponsorship deal with MOC was to end in 2019.
Omoigun said: “I was elated when I got the news that Joy was bringing a bronze medal home, in a short period of two and half years, we have been able to achieve something with the vision of sponsoring athletes.
“I am happy that in our own way, we have been able to give back to the country. It is not about ARCO Groups, but Nigeria at large. I am happy about what the CEO of MOC is doing.’’
Omoigun also said that he would help to canvass for more private companies to sponsor more athletes to ensure that Nigeria regained its lost glory in athletics.
He said: “We are truly happy with what we have been able to achieve, we will also look for a way to bring in more companies like us to support this vision.
“I will use this medium to solicit for what MOC needs to take many young athletes to the global level.’’
MOC, an athletics consulting firm, was established in 2012 after the dismal performance of Team Nigeria to the London 2012 Olympics.
Trending
- Anti-corruption group demands access to Abia Forensic Audit Report
- Bello and Enenche: A tale of two lions, by Tunde Odesola
- Witch doctor impregnates wife of pastor who has been barren for 10 years
- AUN students protest over electricity blackout, management shifts exams
- Legit.ng’s EIC, TUKO.co.ke’s ME share newsroom growth insights
- Tinubu to Dutch industry: Partnerships must be transformative, translate to gains
- Though it comes with pains, I take best decisions for Nigerians — Tinubu
- Five arrested for attack on LASTMA officials + Video, photos