Nigeria will host athletes from 32 African countries for the inaugural African Invitational Swimming Championship in honor of ECOWAS Chairman and President Bola Tinubu.
The “Peace and Progress”-themed meet is being organized by the Africa Aquatics Zone 2 and Demakers Business Roundtable.
Over 5,000 male and female swimmers will compete in the continental competition in the Nigerian capital.
The event will also feature regional sports stakeholders focused on youth development and empowerment.
The meet’s trophy was presented to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, by Godwin Tammy N, Director of Planning and Implementation.
The Speaker noted that sports creates job opportunities for the youth population either directly or indirectly in other related sectors, such as infrastructure and services, transportation, accommodation, and security which in turn helps to reduce unemployment to improve household income levels, and boost economic growth.
Abbas maintained that the forthcoming swimming championship would be a good platform to discover credible talents that could be groomed and monitored to represent Nigeria at international championships in future as the event would inspire all levels and age grades to participate competitively in a secure environment, where values such as teamwork, patriotism and courage would imbued in the citizens.
Tammy expressed his deep appreciation to the Speaker for his sacrifice of love and commitment towards President Tinubu and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, describing the 1st. African International Invitational Swimming Championship as a moment of aquatic sport festivity.
He informed that the organisers would be grateful to unveil the trophy during the formal presentation of the trophy to President Tinubu to signal the commencement of the event on a later date.
Tammy also hinted that championship, which is being organised collaboration with relevant institutions within and beyond the African continent, would be hosted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Teritory (FTC), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
“This is the first of its kind ever organised for an African leader. It promises to be an exciting event and a moment of glory, laced with blissful ectacsy, finese and alluring quality of talents dotted across Africa with over five thousand male and female swimmers from 32 countries converging on the beautiful city of Abuja to fight for the continental crown.
“It will attract a collection of regional stakeholders in sports development who are committed to youth development and empowerment,” Dr. Tammy hinted.
He expressed the hope that the international invitational swimming championship would help to unveil young talented swimmers, who will represent Nigeria in future international championships.
Dignitaries present during handing over of the trophy to the Rt. Hon. Speaker, House of Representatives include Prof. Dan- Azumi, Jake, (Chief of Staff to the Speaker), Hon. Dr. Aliyu Mustapha (Vice chairman, Upstream Petroleum), Dr. Chamberlain (Deputy Chief of Staff to the Speaker and Hon. Jingi Rufai, among many Honourable Members of the House of Representatives.
