Ogheneruona Tejiri, Asaba
Over fifty athletes from ten states and four clubs are taking part in a three-day National Junior Swimming Competition holding at the Stephen Keshi Stadium Swimming Pool, Asaba, Delta State.
Participating states includes Kano, Kaduna, Ondo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo and Delta among other and clubs from the Federal Capital Territory.
The competition is being held to select the best athletes that will represent the country in Sub Continental competition, West Africa and Central Africa Zone coming up in August later in the year in Accra, Ghana .
Categories of events in the competition includes 200m backstroke for both boys and girls, 50m breaststroke for both girls and boys, 100m butterfly for girls and boys,200m individual medley for boys and girls .
Other events competed for are 100m backstroke for both boys and girls, 100m breaststroke for both girls and boys and 200m freestyle for both girls and boys.
In his comments, Mr. Nse-Obong Samuel, Chairman, Technical Committee of the Nigeria Aquatic Federation said that he was impressed with the performances of the athletes in the swimming events. He gave an assurance that they would do well in the forthcoming sub continental competition.
He hinted that the successful athletes to represent the country in the Accra competition would be camped and nurtured in Asaba for further training .
Mr Nse-Obong commended the Delta State Government for hosting the National Junior Swimming Competition.
Also speaking, Saheed Obadina, retired National Swimming Coach said that Nigeria was blessed with many talented swimmers, he called the Federal and State governments to organize more competitions to nurture the athletes to enable them compete internationally and win medals.
Some of the athletes expressed delight with their participation in the competition, saying it offered them opportunity to showcase their swimming prowess.
