体坛英语新闻：Nigerian minister pushes to develop gymnastics

ABUJA, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare on Wednesday called for early discovery and grooming of gymnasts in the development of the sport in the country.

The minister made the appeal in Abuja, Nigeria's capital when he received gymnasts of TIG Gymnastic Club in his office.

He stressed the advantages of starting early for the young gymnasts who would be between the ages of three and 12, for them to represent the country at major international tournaments.

Dare said he was fascinated by the skills and discipline they displayed the first time he watched them train at the Moshood Abiola National stadium, Abuja.

"Beyond what it will do for them in terms of their development, both mental and physical, these ones are the future of this country because they will represent Nigeria not just at this level but up to the Olympic level," he said.

He also harped on the need for sports and education to go hand in hand and promised to ensure that some of the gymnasts benefit from the ministry's scholarship program.