Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral A.Z Gambo has given assurance that the Nigerian Navy will continue to support Aquatic Federation of Nigeria in its quest to develop the game of swimming in the country.
He gave the assurance in Lagos Wednesday while declaring open the 9th edition of the annual Chief of Naval Staff National Open Swimming championship being held at the Olympic size swimming pool of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The CNS who was represented by Rear Admiral H.D Zakaria, Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Western Naval Command noted that the Nigerian 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 COVID- 19 Pandemic could not allow the hosting of the tournament last year but assured that the Navy under his leadership decided to host it this year in accordance with COVID- 19 rules so as to help in the physical, mental and emotional development of athletes.
He also informed that apart from the tournament, the Nigerian Navy is involved in the organization of many aquatic games aimed at improving the sports in the country even as he commended the Federation for its unrelenting efforts geared towards moving the sports forward.
In his speech at the occasion, Chairman Caretaker Committee of Aquatic Federation of Nigeria Babatunde Fatai- Williams was full of praises for the Nigerian Navy whom he described as partners in progress just he 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.
The competition which ends on Saturday will see swimmers participating in 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle as well as 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m individual medlay. There will also be races in 4×100 m freestyle and medlay relay 4×50 m freestyle mixed relay for junior boys, girls and senior men and women respectively.
