Nigerian Navy promises world-class swimmers, as water sports championship begins

The Teslim Balogun Stadium swimming pool and Nigeria Navy Sailing Club, Ojo Lagos, will come alive today when the Water Championship, which forms part of the 11th Nigerian Navy Games, commences today. It will end on February 11.

This year’s Navy Games, billed to take place in Uyo from February 26 to March 4, according to Naval authorities, is geared towards developing sportsmen and women from the rank and file of the outfit to represent Nigeria in international competitions.

According to Chief of Administration, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral H.A Babalola, the water event would involve the force’s five commands and the Naval Headquarters, who will compete in various water events, including freestyle relay, medley, butterfly, breast stroke, mixed relay, boat handling, rowing and sailing.

He added that the rowing event will be conducted in five categories, including Kayak male, single Kayak, female Kayak, double Kayak and mixed Kayak.Babalola stated that boat handling, which is a new event to the 11th Nigeria Navy Games, will be non-scoring demonstration sport that involves three operational commands of the Navy, Western, Eastern and Central Naval commands.

‘Our objective is to identify and select talents that will not only represent the force in international events, but also work hard to ensure more quality swimmers are discovered to represent us at the national level, the All Africa Games and Olympics in the future.

“We also use the games to create good military/civilian relationship with the host state. The public is invited to watch the games as it is another way to advertise the Navy and encourage people who are interested and qualified to join the Navy to make the move,’’ he said.