‘We organised swimming championship to unearth hidden talents’

Organisers of the maiden Love Nature Academy Swimming Championship have said that they organised the competition to fish out hidden talents in Lagos and its environs. Over 200 children from various swimming clubs participated in the competition held at Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, at the weekend.

The competition saw children participating in various categories of swimming, including freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, and relay events.
According to Head Coach, Love Nature Swimming Academy, Abimbola Ifeoluwa, the event is aimed at inspiring all levels and age grades to swim competitively in a secure environment, where values such as teamwork is encouraged.

“We set out to create an inclusive swimming academy that is focused on maximising the potential of individual swimmers and make swimming an important enjoyable part of our members lives,” she said.

Also speaking on the championship, Sports Secretary, Lagos Country Club, Babajide Egbele, said the Love Nature Swimming Academy Championship will help to unveil young talented swimmers, who will represent Nigeria in future international championships.

“The swimming championship saw over 200 children from 14 years below taking part in the tourney. Swimming is a special act, which kids must be taught from their tender age if they are become great athletes in future.

“It is a thing of joy that Love Nature Swimming Academy is organising the event to help children from schools and the grassroots hone their skills in the sport at a tender age. The championship is a good platform to discover credible talents that can be groomed and monitored to represent Nigeria at international championships in future.”

He urged the Aquatic Federation of Nigeria to admit the competition in their calendar, adding that the event needs more sponsors to invest and encourage children to take to swimming.

One of the young swimmers at the event, Ireola Adesina, said her vision is to represent Nigeria at international Championships in future. Prizes and medals were awarded to swimmers who were outstanding in the championship.