The football team from both navies during the novelty match

….As Navy Pledges Support for AFN

Rebecca Ejifoma

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo has given assurance that the Nigerian Navy will continue to support Aquatics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) in its quest to develop the game of swimming in the country.

The CNS made this pledge at the ninth edition of the Chief of the Naval Staff Open Swimming Championship.

Held in collaboration with the Nigerian Aquatics Federation, the championship drew participants from the 36 States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.

Held at the National Swimming Pool Surulere, Lagoa, the Nigerian Navy featured both male and female swimmers for the championship.

The CNS, who was represented by Rear Admiral Halilu Zakaria, the Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Western Naval Command, said the navy will continue to sponsor the competition towards making Nigerian swimmers gain the required exposure needed for them to compete favourably with their counterparts from other countries of the world at both the sub- regional, regional, continental and international championships.

According to him, “the championship itself is the modest contribution of the Nigerian Navy to the aquatic federation and in this case, it’s just to be able to bring out young talents so that the aquatic federation can mentor them as they grow”

“I have seen a lot of young kids coming here and competing in the 50 meters swimming and it’s very interesting. These young talents will be mentored very well so that at the end of the day, we will be able to produce champions for Nigeria and for Africa at large.”

He further urged the federation to continue to mentor young swimmers as they grow and even when they become senior champions in the country.

He also disclosed that apart from the tournament, the Nigerian Navy is involved in the organisation of many aquatic games aimed at improving the sports in the country even.

In his speech, Chairman, AFN Caretaker Committee, Babatunde Fatai- Williams, commended the CNS for approving the sponsorship of the tournament despite the economic challenges facing the country.

Fatai- Williams, while announcing that selected athletes at the end of the competition will represent the country at the international championships, admonished all the participants and technical officials to play to the rules of the game.

At the competition, Hon Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, was represented, the Chairman of the CompetitionJury of Appeal, Rear Admiral Olusegun Egbedina (rtd). Also in attendance was Director of Sports Naval Headquarters, Commodore Ismaila Zelani and other dignitaries.

The swimming competition came to an end with Delta State retaining its title as the top state in the country for swimming after winning 12 gold, 11 silver and four bronze medals to bring their total medals haul to 27.

The Nigeria Police Force Swimming Team came second with five gold, six silver and three bronze bringing their total medals to 14, while the third position went to the Nigeria Army swimming team with four gold, four silver and nine bronze, bringing their total medals won to 17 medals.