A young triple jump champion from Salford has had a boost for future glory with a new sponsorship deal.
Naomi Ogbeta, who’s from Pendleton and went to All Hallows RC High School, is one of only 10 athletes nationwide to be chosen for the extra SportsAid funding.
“I’m really pleased because I wasn’t expecting it,” Naomi told SalfordOnline.com.
“I only applied at the last minute so I’m really happy.”
Naomi Ogbeta comes from a sports-mad family.
Her father competed in the triple jump, while her brother Nathanial is a part of the Manchester City youth squad and has captained England at Under 15 level.
But all eyes are on Naomi now as she powers through another stellar year of athletic competition.
“I’ve had a really good indoor season,” she said, “breaking the indoor Under-20 record, but now I need to get the standard for the World Junior Championships in mid-July.”
The 18-year-old jumped a career best of 12 metres 99cm in Slovakia in January, but now has two events in less than a month to reach the required entry distance of 13 metres 20cm.
Thanks @CGI_UKNEWS for the support and goodies x @TeamSportsAid pic.twitter.com/EfVDKrNwEM
— Naomi Ogbeta (@NaomiOgbeta) June 9, 2016
So what does she need to do to push on to the next level?
“At first it was about hitting the board, but I’ve conquered that.
“Now it’s about running a lot faster and really getting lift in the final stage of the jump.”
If anyone can do it, Naomi can.
Read more: Naomi Ogbeta wins Sports Achiever of the Year in Salford
She originally started out as a junior 60m sprinter and reached English Schools level, but switched her focus to the triple jump in 2015 because she “enjoyed it a lot more”.
Personal bests of 8.08s in the 60 metres and 12.64s in the 100 metres are none too shabby either.
The former Salford City youth councillor has impressed off the track too.
All of this comes in the middle of A-Level hell: she’s got exams this week at Salford City College in sociology, politics and philosophy – if successful she plans to go to Manchester University to study anthropology with politics.
The SportsAid funding will allow Naomi to focus on her event by covering essential training costs, travel and competition expenses up to £1,000.
Tim Lawler, Chief Executive of SportsAid said: “CGI is providing recognition and financial help to these young athletes at a key time.
“They are some of the nation’s brightest sporting prospects and for them to know that an organisation like CGI is backing them – helping them when they need it most – is a huge boost.
“Travelling far and training hard is part of an athlete’s life and the support from CGI will make a big difference.”
SportsAid has supported thousands of athletes during the critical early stages of their careers, including diver Tom Daley, Olympic gold medal-winning heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill CBE, the first British woman to break the 11-second barrier, sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, Mo Farah CBE, Sir Chris Hoy, and Olympic gold medal-winning long jumper Greg Rutherford.
