Ukandu Chibuisi, National Coach of the Nigeria Rope Skipping Federation is set to make the sport a household event that is embraced by many as he revealed the federation’s groundbreaking feats which include producing two Guinness World record holders as he enjoins government, and sports stakeholders to leverage on the game and give it more visibility in the country.
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Chibuisi stated this in an exclusive interview with pressmen in Akure as he unveils the glory which rope skipping will bring to Nigeria alongside advocating for more viable platforms by which youths that have the talents and passion for the sport can showcase them and develop their potential for the global stage.
He further allayed that rope skipping is relatively new to Nigerians as a sport and not many people regard it as a sport because they see it as mere exercise due to the fact that they don’t know that it has been a world championship event for decades but with the remarkable feats of the skippers at the world stage in recent times, it’s beginning to dawn on many people and even government that this is a sport to leverage on.
“With this recent development, this is ample time for the state Sports Commissions and Councils to endeavor and establish Rope Skipping Associations as it will give youths in various states the opportunity to showcase their rope skipping abilities.”
“Sponsor skippers from their States to national competitions and also to corporate organizations, opportunities abound and we have many competitions you can sponsor to add value to the wellbeing of our teaming youths. Through these avenues we are together creating a sustainable platform that can provide a career for millions of Nigerian youths thereby reducing poverty and unemployment,” he emphasized.
Ahead of the world championships in Colorado Springs, Colorado USA, and Des Moines Iowa USA in July 2023 which Nigeria will not be participating, the coach stated that the possibility of Nigeria Rope Skippers attending various international competitions including the world championships will only be made possible if the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development does the needful.
“Competitions of such magnitude require a lot of money and where the Federation is not funded by the Government, it is not easy for our skippers to participate since they cannot afford to fund themselves to such competitions.”
“The global rope skipping community will be missing our presence, but there’s little we can do on our own to take Nigeria to those Championships. That’s why we are calling on corporate entities to support the promotion of Rope Skipping as leaving it to the government alone will not help in harnessing the full benefits it carries.”
Addressing the current growth of the sport in recent times, Chibuisi acknowledged that the fire is gradually beginning to burn.
“Rope skipping is becoming a household sport. Everywhere you go today – streets, schools, children’s recreation parks, you see kids with ropes skipping. In Fact, many children who can’t afford to buy standard skipping ropes now make their own ropes with rings from plastic bottles. That’s one aspect of creativity rope skipping has developed in the Nigerian child. It’s awesome.”
“Whatever can catch the fancy and participation of children, even at a tender age has really got the prospect of becoming a tool for social development, religious tolerance, cultural integration, and providing a career pathway. The prospects are enormous, the league system we’ve introduced, upon becoming full-blown, will enable Skippers to play anywhere in the world. We’re getting there.”
On proposed national competitions by the federation – “there are lots of competitions sketched out. There’s the National Open Masters Championship which is for elite skippers, there’s the National Youth Championship (Boys and Girls) for age divisions 11 and 12 years, 13 and 14 years, 15 and 16 years.”
“There’s the junior classic Boys and Girls for children ages 5 to 8 years and 9 to 10 years. There’s the Inter School Rope Skipping Championship for primary and secondary schools. There’s the Grandmaster’s Derby, and so on and we are working really hard to send out our proposals to make these events realistic, he concluded.
