The young swimmers from some selected schools in Lagos exhibited brilliance at the just-concluded 4th Zenith Bank/Ikoyi Swimming Competition, giving a glimpse of hope for the sport in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the young students were from the selected 18 schools in Lagos, including 12 primary and six secondary schools.
The Swimming competition co-sponsored by Zenith Bank and Ikoyi Club took place at the Swimming Section of the Ikoyi Club 1938 on April 4.
The selected schools are Grange School, Ikeja, Corona School Ikoyi, British International School (BIS), Lekki, Greenspring Schools, Temple School, Italian International School, Victoria Island and St Saviours School, Ebute Meta.
Others are Lagos Preparatory and Secondary School, Ikoyi, Kings School, X Factor, Ikoyi, Edgewood College, Kristo Ball Schools and Children International School, Lekki.
The young swimmers in the age category of U-7, U-9, and U-13 participated in events such as Freestyle 50m, Backstroke, Breaststroke Freestyle and Medley Relay boys and girls.
The competition touted as a grassroots development sport programme, however, lived up to its billing as the young talents displayed prowess.
Take for an instance, where some of the schools that participated in the competition did not have a standard swimming pool to train in, but that has not stopped them from impressing in their events.
The co-sponsor of the competition represented by the Executive Director, Dennis Olisa, described the event as successful thereby calling for more competitions for swimmers.
“This year’s event has been of a great success, and it has been beautiful. I am so impressed with the performance of the swimmers whom, I see as the future of the sport.
“What we are thinking is to nurture these young swimmers for the future because if we take care of that our future is secured.
“It is only swimming that can fetch Nigeria many medals in an Olympic or other events. Countries like Canada, Australia, the U.S. and others are well developed in the sport.
“Nigeria can as well take a cue from these countries to enjoy same privileges,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Grange School, Ikeja emerged the overall winners of the swimming competition with nine gold, eight silver and nine bronze medals.
The winners were closely followed by Edgewood Schools, Ikoyi, with seven gold, one sliver and three bronze medals, while Children International School, Lekki, placed third with five gold, four silver and three bronze medals.
For the primary school category, Children International School topped the medals chart with nine gold, six silver and three gold medals, while St Saviour’s, Ikoyi, emerged second with eight gold, 17 silver and nine gold medals.
On the third position is Grange Schools, Ikeja, with five gold, four silver and seven bronze medals.
For the individual award, Seni Adekoye, a student of Grange Schools, emerged the “Most Valuable Person (MVP) in the secondary category for his brilliance in getting four gold medals.
The MVP for the female category went to Adama Emmanuel from Edgewood School who showed class with five gold and one silver medal.
The Promising swimmer, Abdul-Jabbar Adama showed class in his category and was rewarded with the MVP award for the primary school category.
Also, the MVP for the female category went to Morinsola Idowu from Lagos Preparatory and Secondary School, Ikoyi. (NAN)