Francis Ajuonuma, Lagos
Impressed by the performance of cadet swimmers at the 9th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) National Swimming Championship which ended on Saturday at the Swimming Complex of the National Stadium, Lagos, the Nigerian Navy has promised to ensure that those discovered are monitored to become future champions.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal .Z. Gambo gave the assurance in his remarks during the closing ceremony of the championship which featured swimmers from Lagos, Delta, Oyo, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Ondo, Kano, YY School, University of Lagos, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, Nigerian Navy and amongst others.
According to Vice Admiral Gambo, who was represented by Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Habila .D Zakaria, the cadet swimmers who futured at the championship exhibited a lot of potentials of future champions that must be harnessed to the fullest.
“These young talents will be monitored very, very well so that at the end of the day we’ll be able to produce champions for Nigeria and for Africa at large,” he said.
On plans to make the championship bigger, he said: “Well, that will depend on what the Aquatic Federation comes up with. But what the Nigerian Navy has to do now is just to support the Aquatic Federation.
The four day national championship ended with Team Delta emerging as the overall winner in the senior event, having won 12 gold, 11 silver and 4 bronze medals, while Team Police took the silver trophy as the runners-up, after amassing 5 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze.
In the cadet category, YY School finished as runners-up while Team Delta were winners with 8 gold, 4 silver and 6 bronze medals. For the military category the Nigerian Army finished top with the Nigerian Navy battling to second position.
