The President of Aquatic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chinoye Aliyu on Saturday said that the federation would use geographical spread of swimming competitions as bait to improve provision of standard swimming pools across Nigeria.
Aliyu gave the insight in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the 2022 Swimming Coaches Seminar organised by AFN.
NAN reports that the seminar for Lifeguard professionals and coaches for 46 participants across the 36 states of the federation and Abuja was held at the Swimming pool arena, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
On the programmes lined up for the grassroots and professional development of swimming across Nigeria, Aliyu said that efforts had been put in place to resuscitate swimming across the states.
“We have a well thought out plans to encourage and revive swimming across Nigeria. We are aware that Nigeria is blessed with talents and we need to identify and groom them.
“We will start with a schedule of more programmes, capacity trainings and mentorships in the states where we hope to have it rotational and not concentrated in a particular state.
“By having these programmes in a more geographical spread, there will be a need to have swimming pool facilities across the states in Nigeria; more facilities will have to spring up.
“We now have a standard swimming pool in Ilorin as a result of the National Youth Games, the facility is now been put to good use, she said.
Aliyu said that part of the programmes by AFN was a zonal youth swimming competitions which would involve all the states of the federation.
“We have mapped out zonal school grade and age grade in four zones in Nigeria, after which the finals will be held in Abuja, a tournament that will be sponsored by FINA, our international body.
“We will start the competition in the zones to the national swimming competition. We have also planned same format for the senior an professionals as well.
“Since next year will not be a National Sports Festival (NSF) year, we will host the senior category across the states using the same format, she said.
On the annual Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) swimming competition, Aliyu said that all preparations had been put in place to hold the 2022 edition in October at a venue yet to be decided.
“For the CNS swimming competition, all plans have been concluded to have it in October at a venue yet to be decided.
“The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, has given a go-ahead of the preparation to the 2022 edition and we are now in advanced stage.
“CNS is an all encompassing competition for schools, clubs, institutions and others. It is a big event and we are all looking forward to it, she said. (NAN)
