‘Lack Of Training Programmes, Bane Of Nigerian Swimmers’

The Chief Coach of team Nigeria, at the just concluded 9th Africa Junior Swimming championship , held in Port Harcourt, Monday Aigbe has attributed the unimpressive performances if the team to lack of continuity and training programmes.

Aigbe who disclosed this, in a telephone interview with Tidesports, yesterday, said that the problems in the sports sector in the country is lack of training programmes to enable athletes excel in international tournaments.

According to him the Nigeria Swimming Federation (NSF) go to sleep after major competiting instead of preparing swimmers for the next competition due to lack if funds.

“you will see after this programme, NSF will just go bed until next competition, then how can up do well is not possible.

We should not forget that some countries have sports academics of not urly in swimming, Aigbe said.

He also said that the poor outing of Nigeria swimmers was due to due to the fact that they were assembled two weeks to the championship.

Aigbe used the opportunity to appeal to state governments to give swimming a priority and also sponsor swimming associations to execute their programmes in order to ensure continuity.

He commended the urganisers of the championship particularly Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi for hosting competition that saved the image of the country.

Tonye Orabere