2020 Olympics: NAF Lobbies For Funds

The Nigeria Aquatics
Federation (NAF) says it needs adequate funding for training to take part in the 2020 Olympics.

The federation’s President, Babatunde Fatayi-Williams told newsmen in Lagos that it required about 10 years to produce a world-class swimmer.

Fatayi-Williams said that the country had abundant talents that could attain excellence at international competitions if properly trained.

According to him, the federation needs money for an all-year training programme that will last for at least 10 years, to make a debut at international competitions.

“What we need to start doing now is organising regular competitions that will keep the swimmers busy all year.

“We do not have to wait until eight months or 10 months to major competitions before we start preparing the athletes.

“We must prepare early to ensure success at any event, be it international or local competition,” he said.

Fatayi-Williams, who is also the Chairman Technical Committee, Lagos State Sports Council, added that swimmers must train up to 50 weeks a year to develop appropriate swimming techniques.

He said that fresh swimmers could train once a day and the training could graduate to twice a day, as they become conversant with the techniques.

He assured that if such a regime could be religiously followed, local swimmers would be a force to reckon with within a short period.