Abuja: The President, Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF), Lekan Fatodu, has reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to youth development and swimming growth through sustainable programmes. Fatodu made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the just-concluded second edition of the ‘Swim For Life’ Swimming Championship in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the championship was organized to provide young people with opportunities to participate in swimming and was held in honor of the late NAqF President, Chamberlain Dunkwu, who passed away in March. The event served as a continuation of Dunkwu’s legacy and his dream of offering opportunities for young people to engage in swimming and develop their potential through sports.
Fatodu emphasized that the late president’s vision was to ensure that young swimmers received the necessary support to hone their skills and contribute meaningfully to society. He stated, ‘By giving opportunity to these young people, we
are not only helping them in sports, it is also taking a place in their academic development and social interaction. Participation in swimming also helped young people develop a sense of responsibility and find their place in society.’
He further added that the federation would continue to pursue actions and initiatives aimed at making such programmes permanent features of the aquatics sporting calendar. On the development of swimming and the medals won by Nigerian swimmers, Fatodu acknowledged the vital contributions of parents and other stakeholders.
Fatodu noted that swimming is an expensive sport, highlighting the need for sustained commitment from the government, federations, parents, and other stakeholders. He stated that the federation’s commitment, reliability, and dedication were crucial to attracting sponsorship and developing programmes for different categories of swimmers.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that no fewer than 100 swimmers registered for the tournament in Abuja.