Ikoyi Club, Zenith Bank Set For Exciting Inter-School Swimming Gala

Excitement is mounting ahead of the 2026 Ikoyi Club/Zenith Bank Inter-School Swimming Gala scheduled for May 23 at the Swimming Section of Ikoyi Club 1938.

Now in its ninth edition, the competition has continued to establish itself as one of Nigeria’s leading grassroots swimming events, providing young athletes with a platform to showcase their talents and develop their careers.

More than 20 schools are expected to participate in this year’s championship, which organisers say will feature intense competition and outstanding performances across various age categories.

Participants will compete in freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly and individual medley events, with race distances tailored to suit different age groups.

The competition is organised with support from Zenith Bank, whose continued partnership has been credited for the steady growth of the event over the years.

Speaking ahead of the gala, Chairman of the Swimming Section of Ikoyi Club 1938, Akinbulejo Onabolu, expressed satisfaction with the level of interest generated by the competition.

According to him, the gala remains one of the club’s flagship initiatives aimed at discovering and nurturing young swimming talents.

“Over the years, we have witnessed remarkable growth from athletes who participated in our events and this continues to inspire our commitment to youth development through sports,” he said.

Onabolu also praised Zenith Bank for its unwavering support and commitment to grassroots sports development.

He noted that the partnership had helped sustain the competition as a premier platform for emerging swimming talents across Nigeria.

Organisers believe the gala will not only encourage healthy competition among schools but also contribute to the long-term development of swimming in the country.

The event is expected to attract parents, sports enthusiasts and swimming stakeholders from across Lagos and beyond.