Delta Hosts 2023 Junior Swimming Competition

By Sam Erhunmwunse

Over fifty athletes from ten states and four clubs are participating in a three-day National Junior Swimming Competition holding at the Stephen Keshi Stadium Swimming Pool, Asaba, Delta State.

Some of the participating states are Kano, Kaduna, Ondo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo and Delta and clubs from the Federal Capital Territory , and some other states.

The competition is 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 this year in Accra, Ghana .

Categories of events in the competition included 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.

Chairman, Technical Committee of the Nigeria Aquatic Federation, Mr Nse-Obong Samuel said he was impressed with the performances of the athletes in the swimming events , and 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.

A retired National Swimming Coach, Saheed Obadina said the country was blessed with many talented swimmers, and urged 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.