Gymnastics Association buoyed by visit of influential officials

The hierarchy of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Gymnastics Association (SVGAGA) has upped their expectation mode, as they anticipate the benefits from a two-day visit by the President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), Morinari Wantanabe, and President of the Pan American Gymnastics Union (PAGU), Naomi Valenzo.

The two were in the State from Sunday April 6, to April 8, where they paid a courtesy call on the St Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee, and also held discussions with the executive of the SVGGA ,and had a tour of the Dolphins Gymnastics and Health Academy at Arnos Vale, where some local gymnasts were in training.

Emerging from the discussions with Wantanabe and Valenzo, President of the SVGGA, Emma Jackson, shared about some of the outcomes of the meeting.

“The Presidents pledged their organisations’ support to develop and sustain Gymnastics in the country.

They offer access for intensive training and certification of local coaches, improved equipment and more training for athletes”, Jackson revealed.

The heads of the two organisations also promised the SVGGA to help with their plans that will see the reintroduction a schools’ Gymnastics Programme at the start of the next September, 2025 academic year.

Meanwhile, Wantanabe speaking about the reason for his visit to St Vincent and the Grenadines and other regional territories explained that “Small federations are more difficult than the big federations. Small countries need the support, that is why I come here and talk to the president of the association”.