Nigeria prepare for FINA 2005

Riding on the success achieved by Nigerian swimmers at African continental and world events in the recent past, the Nigeria Swimming Federation plans to consolidate on these with much higher activities in 2005.

And one of such ways is a projected long camping exercise for swimmers in readiness to participating in the 11 FINA World Swimming Championships July 17 to 31, any where the world ruling body decides after moving it out of Montreal, Canada.

FINA will announce the organiser of the 2005 edition of the FINA World Championships no later than 15th February 2005, after the Cities of Athens (Greece), Berlin (Germany) and Moscow (Russia) presented their candidature bids by 28th January 2005, being the final date for submitting bids for the 11th FINA World Championships 2005.

The world championships is the only platform yet for any Nigerian swimmer to grab a medal, following victories won at the last All Africa Games in Abuja and the 1st Afro- Asian Games in Hydrabad, India both in 2003.

In the programme of activities for 2005 issued in Lagos, NSF will begin the World Championships charge, the only event planned outside the country this year, with an Open National Swimming Championships for the selection of the national team to the World Championships. This will hold in Lagos or Abuja April 1-3.

According to Lucky Asemota, NSF assistant secretary who explained the programme, the month of May would see the first phase camping for the FINA World Swimming Championships billed for Abuja. The Federal Capital will also be venue for the second phase camping of swimmers in June, ahead of the championships.

Asemota sent out a passionate appeal, on behalf of the federation to well meaning Ngerians and corporate organisations to come forward to assist because sponsors are required to keep these athletes in camp, saying the sports is capital intensive.

Back home, the state preliminaries of the Age Group competition (18 years and under, 12 years and under 14 years have been slated to hold from September 25 to 30 while the finals the National Age Grade competition follow just the next month, October 17th to 30th in Abuja or Lagos.

Last but not the least of competitions slated for the year is the 5th Rivers State Governor’s Cup for Open Swimming Championships, the biggest attraction at home for swimmers, take place as usual; in Port Harcourt.

Prior to this time, the federation hopes to organise a national Water Polo Championships yet again in Lagos or Abuja,

Culled from Punch Newspaper