By Akojede Olanrewaju
Lagos – Team Delta has again emerged champions of 7th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Swimming Competition for the sixth time, holding a record of most appearances and records set and broken in the championships.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lagos State is hosting the competition at its swimming pool at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere, Lagos.
NAN reports that the Delta team since the inception of the competition in 2010 has dominated the championships, winning it in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016 editions.
The team on the way to winning the championships provided superlative performances from the team’s Captain Samson Opuakpo, Kinsgley Forcados, Duke Enikenemi and Iwaje Ilaifa.
To become champions, Delta won, 25 gold, 24 silver and 11 bronze medals.
Delta’s Opuakpo won the overall best swimmer with a record of 2:15.10 minutes, a national record and also 2:19.18 in Individual Medley.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) team emerged second, while Team Edo came third in the competition.
Closing the competition, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok Ibas, represented by Rear Adm. Ade Oshinowo, extolled the superlative displays by the swimmers.
“Since this championship started few years ago, we have witnessed superlative display of talents from young boys and girls from all over the federation.
“This competition has gone a long way to tap talents from the grassroots who have represented the country in regional and international championships.
“Let me restate that this is the Nigerian Navy’s modest contribution to the overall development of water sports in the country.
“I must also commend the participating states and organisations, especially for their efforts at using this forum to reduce juvenile delinquencies and insecurity that the country is facing,’’ he said.
The Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu, said that the 7th CNS Swimming Competition has left an indelible mark in the history of swimming in the country.
“I want to say here that we the government of Lagos State will continue to support swimming and ensure that the sport is kept alive.
“We hope to keep the facility at the Teslim Balogun Stadium open and well maintained for the use of swimmers to encourage the sport.
Also, the President of Aquatic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Babatunde Fatai-Williams, said the competition had witnessed the best so far in history.
“I want to say here that we have witnessed the best competition so far in our entire history. We have had unprecedented number of athletes participating in this competition.
“The junior category, just introduced, has well over 250 swimmers and also the senior category of about 300 swimmers.
“This portends a bright future for the championship, especially with seeing the junior ones giving us hope of a better tomorrow in swimming.
“And no sooner than later will, we will see them taking over from their seniors.
“What we have witnessed so far is the best and we hope to continue with the momentum,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Olympic medallist, Racheal Tonjor, emerged the best
in the women category with a new national record.
Dorcas Eworo from Optimistic Secondary School in Calabar, Cross Rivers emerged the best female swimmer in the junior category.
(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)
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