The Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN) is targeting about 900 children from 90 schools for the third North Central Regional ‘Catch Them Young’ Gymnastics Festival, scheduled for September 26, 2026, in Abuja, as the federation pushes towards its national target of developing 30,000 young gymnasts and creating more than 1,000 coaching jobs by 2028.

The festival will take place at the Package B Gymnasium, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, from 10am, with schools from across the Federal Capital Territory expected to participate.

According to Dare Kuti, Board Member and Media Director of the GFN, the initiative is part of the federation’s grassroots talent identification and development programme designed to introduce more children to gymnastics and establish new clubs across the country.

GFN President and Vice President of the African Gymnastics Union, Prince Kelvin Erhunwunse, said the Abuja edition was designed around a simple model of getting children into the sport early while simultaneously expanding the gymnastics club structure.

“The programme is about catching them young. Our model is simple: 90 schools to present 10 children which is equal to 900 children and 90 new clubs in FCT in one day.”

Erhunwunse said the federation’s broader ambition extends beyond the Abuja festival, with the GFN targeting 30,000 young gymnasts and significant employment opportunities for coaches within the next two years.

“Our national target is to create 30,000 young gymnasts and over 1,000 jobs for coaches by end of 2028.”

The GFN president explained that the Catch Them Young programme is being implemented as a nationwide tour, with the federation taking the initiative to different parts of the country on a rotational basis.

Under the model, one state from each geopolitical zone is targeted per edition, with the programme expected to continue moving across the country until all 36 states have been covered.

Erhunwunse recalled that previous editions had already taken place in Edo State in the South-South, where 45 clubs participated with 450 children, as well as in the North-East.

The Abuja festival is expected to provide another major platform for grassroots talent identification, while giving participating schools an opportunity to become part of the federation’s expanding development network.

The GFN president also disclosed that participating schools and outstanding young athletes could benefit from international scholarship and exchange opportunities secured by the federation through partnerships with Turkey, Japan, China and Azerbaijan.

According to him, the international partnerships are intended to complement the federation’s grassroots programme by providing talented young gymnasts with access to training, educational opportunities and wider international exposure.

The initiative is also expected to strengthen the connection between schools, gymnastics clubs, coaches and the federation, creating a more structured pathway for children who demonstrate potential in the sport.

The festival is themed “Building Bridges, Renewing Hope for the Future Generation”, reflecting the federation’s stated commitment to grassroots development and the use of sport as a platform for youth development.

The programme is being organised in conjunction with the Turkish Gymnastics Federation, National Sports Commission and Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

With about 900 children expected in Abuja, the third North Central edition is positioned as one of the federation’s major grassroots mobilisation exercises as it works towards its longer-term target of reaching 30,000 young gymnasts nationwide by the end of 2028.