Arco Group Plc, a leading oil, and gas servicing firm in celebrated the impressive outing of Nigerian athlete, Joy Udo-Gabriel at the just concluded Commonwealth games in Australia, where she won bronze medal in the 4 × 100m women relay.
Recall that in 2016 the company in its display of commitment towards developing sports in Nigeria, sponsored two budding athletes, Joy Udo-Gabriel and Jerry Jakpa to the University of Lagos and Port Harcourt.
Joy and Jerry, were enriched with dedicated accommodation to enable them combine academics and sports training under the supervision of Making Of Olympic Co.
Speaking on Udo-Gabriels win, highly elated Arco Group expressed delight that 18-yr-old Joy is now the third fastest Nigerian girl within and outside the country. Joy is only 18 years old.
Meanwhile, the athlete said at a press conference recently held in Lagos on that participating in the Games had increased her desire to win more medals for Nigeria.
She said since she got the sponsorship through her management firm Making of Champions in 2016, she had been able to combine schooling with sports.
The runner said, “ I am focusing on the World Junior Championships. I hope to make the team and win gold at the competition. I also want to increase my personal best to achieve my main aim of becoming an Olympic gold medallist.
“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.
“I am grateful to God and Arco Group, who are my sponsors, because I have enjoyed combining sports with education. I also want to thank Making of Champions Athletics Club for discovering me. 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.”
Managing Director Arco Group Alfred Okoigun said the company would extend its sponsorship to 2022 because of Udo-Gabriel’s performance.
