8th CNS National Open Swimming Championship Ends In Grand Style; Delta Retains Title News

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8th CNS National Open Swimming Championship Ends In Grand Style; Delta Retains Title

By Maduabuchi Kalu on October 15, 2019

The 8th edition of the annual Chief Naval Staff Open Swimming Championship came to a glorious end at the swimming pool complex of the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday, October 12, 2019 with Delta State retaining its title as the No1 swimming state in the country after garnering 10 gold, 10 silver and 3 bronze medals to bring their total medals haul to 23.

The Nigeria Police Force Swimming Team, captained by veteran swimmer Yellow Yeiyah closely came second with 10 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze bring their total medals haul to 16, while the third position went to Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps with 3 gold, 4 silver and 2 medals, bringing their total haul to 9 medals.

In his closing remarks, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IE Ibas, represented by the Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral S.M.D Evans, thanked the Government of Lagos State for accepting to play host to the annual swimming championship which has become the flagship swimming event in the Calendar of The Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF).

He said: “This is a clear testimony of the love His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State Babatunde Olusola Sanwo-Olu, who was represented yesterday by the Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Tandor, has for the sports of this magnitude. This can be attested in the hosting of several national and international tournaments in the state. Officers and the entire staff of the Nigerian Navy are indeed grateful for the support.

“Since this championship started 15 years ago we have witnessed superlative display of talents of young boys and girls from all over the Federation. This championship has gone a long way to discover talents from the grassroots who have represented the country in various international competitions and have won several laurels for the country.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on the Nigeria Aquatics Federation to do more of sensitisation of the public on this championship and at the same time, call on sponsors to partner with the Federation so that they will the resources to stage more swimming championships for Nigerian swimmers.

“I would also want to thank the Federation for organising a championship that of international standard. I want to urge them to continue the good work they have been doing over the years and I believe that our partnership with them to develop swimming in the country help in realising the goal of discovering and nurturing talented swimmers that will win more international laurels for the country.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Hon. Sunday Dare, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Adesola Olusola, assured the Nigeria Aquatics Federation of support of the Ministry in order to realise its goal of making the water sports one of the pillars of Nigerian sports.

Many dignitaries graced the closing ceremony of the championship. They include Flag Officer of Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral, O.B. Daji; Director of Sports, Nigeria Police Force, Ibrahim Abubakar; NAqF President, Mr. Babatunde Fatayi Williams; Vice President of the Federation, Rear Admiral B.A. Egbeina (rtd); NAqF board members Dr. Odewunmi, Steve Onyeacholam, Pastor Samuel Jesimiel, and Joseph Odobeatu, amongst others. Also in attendance the chairman of Anambra State Aquatics Association, Jonathan Chuka Ifeama, and Brown Ebewele a.k.a (The Juju Man), among others.

Sixteen states were listed for this this year’s championship but four failed to attend following paucity of funds.

The CNS National Open Swimming championship suffered several postponements, before it was finally held between 10 and 12th of this month. It is noted that for two years, the flagship event in the NAqF did not hold no thanks to the immediate past governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode who did not attend to the file on the championship despite assuring the NAqF of the state’s willingness to stage the championship even as he refused to allow them to take the championship to another state.

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 15, 2019