By Augustine Kalu on October 24, 2016

There was jubilation among members of the board of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAF) and lovers of aquatics sports in the country, when report filtered in over the weekend that the President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Mr. Babatunde Fatayi Williams has been elected Vice President of the continental body CANA, in a Congress held in South Africa on Friday morning.

Revealing this exclusively to Daily Sports Friday night, the Chairman of the Lagos State Swimming Association, Rev. Samuel Jesimiel, described the election of Williams as the most exciting news of the year. He said with the election of the NAF President as the vice president of the continental body, it shows that CANA appreciates the contributions of the current leadership of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation led by Williams.

“I am in a joyous mood as we speak. There is joy in our heart with the news that we have just received from South Africa where the Africa Swimming Championship and Congress is taking place,” Jesimiel revealed.

“As we speak, our president, I mean the Nigeria Aquatics Federation President, Mr. Babatunde Fatayi Williams has been elected as the Vice President of the continental aquatics ruling body CANA. I am so excited just like every other board member of the Federation and lovers of Aquatics Sports in the country.

“This is the most cheering news of the year, and the country has never had it so good. With his election as the Vice President of the continental aquatics governing body, it means that CANA appreciates the hard work of the current board of Nigeria Aquatics Federation led by Mr. Babatunde Fatayi Williams. We have been working hard in our efforts to ensure that aquatics sports are repositioned so that the country would benefit from its multi medal advantage in international competitions,” Jesimiel said.

Speaking further, Jesimiel stated that with the elevation of Williams as the Vice President of the continental aquatics governing body, the country stand to gain a lot from CANA and the world body, FINA.

He stated that with Williams in the main stream of decision making at the continental body, the country has to step up its participations in CANA and FINA championships which according to him will lead to the rapid development of the multi medal sports in the country.

“I feel elated with Williams’ elevation to the position of Vice President of the continental body CANA. Of course, with his elevation to the second in command at the continental governing body, Nigeria stand to gain a lot both in the continental body and the global body, FINA. It also comes with a lot of responsibilities because, it is a popular axiom that to whom much is given, much is also expected. We have to step up our participation in CANA and FINA activities to at least leverage on the important position being occupied by our own, Fatayi Williams.

“Of course with him in the main stream of decision making at the continental level, the country certainly will have to step up its participation in CANA and FINA activities and that is where the responsibilities come in. he will be attending most of the CANA and FINA tournaments and Congresses and he will not be doing that alone, the country will be expected to participate actively in most of these tournaments.

“We stand to gain from exposing our swimmers to international championships that will automatically have positive impact on aquatics sports in the country, which is what we have been working towards over the years,” Jesimiel explained. 

•Photo shows Babatunde Fatayi Williams (left) during an official assignment.

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 24, 2016

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