President of the Nigeria Aquatic Federation (NAF),
Chief (Mrs.) Chinoye Aliu, has expressed delight over the impressive turnout of
states that took part in the swimming competition at the 9th National Youth
Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with First
ZealMediacast Blog’s Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, Aliu described the
large participation as proof of the commitment of the federation and state
governments in promoting aquatic sports across the country.
“I would rate the aquatics event very highly because a
lot of states participated. We at the Nigeria Aquatics Federation are on the
right track—we have grown, we are doing well, and we are performing at the
continental level,” she said.
The NAF president commended Lagos State for its
outstanding performance in the pool, after winning 19 gold medals in aquatics,
while applauding the Lagos State Government for effectively channeling
resources into sports development.
Aliu also praised the organizers of the Games for
ensuring a smooth event, highlighting the use of the Olympic-size swimming pool
at the Stephen Keshi Stadium. “The facilities here meet international
standards. We applied Olympic parameters in organizing the swimming events,”
she noted.
To maintain high standards in the sport, Aliu revealed
that the federation has introduced a biennial coaching course, mandatory for
all aquatic coaches in Nigeria.
She further appealed to government at all levels,
corporate organizations, and private stakeholders to invest in the upgrading of
aquatic facilities across the country. “We need to step up and raise the
quality of our swimming facilities so we can compete on the same level with the
rest of the world,” she emphasized.
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