O'jez pours more water into NSF's pools

Prospects for better days ahead for Nigerian swimmers to go extra miles with a view to enhancing their performances both locally and internationally emerged last weekend in Warri, Delta State, following the State's proposal to host an annual swimming championship. This was when the Chief Executive of O'jez Entertainment Limited, Lagos Chief Josept Odobeatu indicated his readiness in bankrolling another championship.

But unlike that of the Delta State Government, which would be sponsored by the State, O'jez's is expected to be privately driven and meant for swimmers between the ages of 6 - 16, which would be geared basically towards identifying younger talents to have firmer 'fins' capable of propelling them to beat international vaves alongside international swimmers.

According to the sponsor of the championship, which is expected to hold between August and September, 2006, Chief Joseph Odobeatu, who is the Chief Executive of O'jez Fast Foods and Restaurant in the mainbowl of the National Stadium, Lagos and an Executive Board member of the Nigeria Swimming Federation, "we have to invest in these young ones, who would be champions of tomorrow now.

"Swimming is basically a sport for the younger generation and every contribution needed for their healthy growth for better performance in the sport, should begin now. They, the youths, are the bedrocks of the nation and as such, solid foundations should be laid for them through encouranging investments for a greater future."

"There is the need to assist talented youths to embrace swimming so that, they could take it as a career,"Odobeatu stressed.

Reacting to this development, Honourable Chamberlain Nnamdi and Chief Olatokunbo Thomas expressed positive yields for the sport if such activities are ebarked upon by more Nigerians. Chamberlain Nnamdi, stated that:

"I am touched by this project which is being promised the Federation by Odobeatu, a Board Member, who has decided to assist in the development of the sport. Our bane had been constant and adequate competitions and with these, I, as the YOuth Development Committee chairman, is personally delighted and feel elated."