Africa Can Excel In Swimming – Sports Minister

The Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, has said that Africa was blessed with talents that could do the continent proud if they were identified and nurtured, especially in swimming.

Abdullahi made the assertion at the closing ceremony of the maiden Africa Zone II Junior Swimming Championships in Akure at the weekend.

The minister, represented by the Coordinator, National Sports Commission (NSC), Zone II, Peter Nelson, said he was excited at the laudable grassroots sports development programmes in Ondo.

“Africa is blessed with great talents that could take her name to greater heights, if identified and given the right training and exposure, especially in swimming.

“It excites me that Ondo State is recognised for grassroots sports development in Nigeria and this has been extended to the West African sub-region for young talents to compete with international swimmers,” he said.

In his speech, the President, Nigeria Swimming Federation (NSF), Babatunde Fatayi-Williams, said that the body was building young swimmers who would represent the country in future competitions.

Fatayi-Williams said the federation was looking forward to another junior competition in another zone II country in two years.

“We are trying to identify and expose athletes to international swimming competitions.

“I thank the countries that participated in this championships. This is not football; it takes a good government to sponsor athletes to an international competition in swimming,” he said.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State on Sports, Akin Akinbobola, commended the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by the swimmers.

He added that the age grade competition was a welcome development, adding that the Ondo State Government was determined to make the state number one in swimming.

Nigeria came first with 50 gold, 36 silver and 5 bronze medals, followed by Senegal with 16 silver and 38 bronze medals.

Togo came third with just a bronze medal, while Mali, Republic of Benin and Ghana did not win any medal.