The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, says the Nigerian Navy (NN) will continue to support the Nigerian Aquatic Federation (NAF) to develop swimming in the country.
The CNS made the assertion at the 9th CNS Swimming Competition which held from Sept. 1 to Sept. 4, 2021 at the National Stadium, Lagos State.
Gambo, who was represented by the Chief Staff Officer, Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Habila Zakaria added that it was aimed at discovering new talents.
`The championship is a modest contribution of the Nigerian Navy to the Aquatic Federation which is just to bring out young talents that the federation can mentor as they grow.
“It is interesting to note that we have young talents who can compete the length of the 50m swimming championship.
“I urge the federation to continue to mentor these kids as they grow and then become senior champions in the country,” he said.
Gambo said that the Nigerian Navy would continue to partner with the Aquatic Federation and support them in their plans for the development of swimming in the country.
Mr Babatunde Fatai-Williams, Chairman, NAF said he was appreciative of the NN support in organising the competition for athletes to sharpen their skills for further international competitions.
Fatai-Williams said the competition did not hold in 2020 because of the COVID-19 and that he was grateful that the NN organised this championship even though the pandemic was still with us.
“Our responsibility is to coordinate all aquatic swimming activities in Nigeria such as water polo and open water swimming.
“One of the new features in this competition is the inclusion of the Junior Category from 17 which will provide an ideal opportunity for the identification and exposure of more young talents.
“The turnout and performance of the athletes has been impressive and we thank the NN for it,” the chairman said.
Medalists of the Junior Category
Emeritus Coach Daniel Emoghene urged the federation to focus in developing the young talents, saying that Nigeria had a lot of talented swimmers that could win medals for the country if nurtured.
“In the Olympics; after athletics is swimming in the medal table so, if we work hard in swimming we will be able to win medals in the Olympics.
“Right now, it is in the paralympics that we are winning but if we train the swimmers dedicatedly, they will do very well and they will win more medals for the country,” Emoghene said.
Elliot Nwachukwu, 17, from Delta said he was excited winning gold in relay boys, gold in 50m and 100m breast stroke boys and a silver in 50m butterfly boys category.
The Senior Secondary School (SSS 2) student of Obiaruku Grammar School, Delta State said that he was working to become an Olympian and that he had been training for four years now.
Sgt. Yellow Yeiyah of the Nigeria Police Force and gold medalist in the 50m butterfly men said he was impressed with his performance because people had started to doubt his ability.
Yeiyah, 35, said a lot of people said he could not swim again because he was getting older therefore, he proved them wrong and showed them that he could still win medals.
“I am the gold medalist of the 20th National Sports Festival in Benin, silver medalist in All African Games 2007 and an Olympian and I still have what it takes to bring home medals.
“I quietly trained and prepared for the championship and the result has spoken for itself.
“I motivated myself and disciplined myself in training through jogging and exercises to improve my overall performance which gave me the needed stamina to win,” he said.
Private (Pte.) Abayomi Ilesanmi of the Nigerian Army and gold medalist in the 200m breast stroke men said that this was his third year winning in the event.
“I actually did not believe that I can win because of the injury I have on my leg but I decided to try my best and I came out on top,” he said.
Assistant Superintendent Cadre II (ASC) Gagbe Okoko representing the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said the competition came at a time when there was a dearth of competition in the country.
Okoko said she was excited to have won silver and bronze in the 50m butterfly and freestyle women respectively.
“I feel excited to have won and I thank God for the organisers of this competition for providing a platform where we can develop our skills better.
“The competition will help us to pick the best athletes that will represent the country in other international championships scheduled for later in the year,” she said.
The Delta State came first winning 12 Golds, 11 Silvers and 4 Bronzes followed by NPF who came second with 5 Golds, 6 Silvers and 3 Bronzes.
Nigeria Army came third winning 4 Golds, 4 Silvers and 9 Bronze medals.
