Rivers to host more swimming competitions
Lawal told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Friday that the pool was the latest state-of-the-art swimming facility in the country. He said the pool had other facilities which would make swimmers to warm up and get set for a competition. “Currently, this is the latest of the state-of-the-art swimming facility […]
Lawal told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Friday that the pool was the latest state-of-the-art swimming facility in the country.
He said the pool had other facilities which would make swimmers to warm up and get set for a competition.
“Currently, this is the latest of the state-of-the-art swimming facility that we have in Nigeria.
“And it is also an advantage that we have two 50-metre pools side by side and two diving pools.
“So, it gives room for swimmers to swim down and gives adequate room for swimmers to warm up .
“So, the Nigeria Swimming Federation is planning to bring more competitions to Rivers State because it is the most recent.
“Our problem in Nigeria is that our facilities are not maintained the way they are supposed to be maintained,’’ he said.
Lawal said that the Abuja swimming pool, which ought to be the number one in the country, was not fully functional because of a lack of maintenance.
He appealed to state governments to consult with the federation before building swimming pools .
“We are the end users and we will be able to save government from embarking on projects that two years from now they will not be able to maintain because they lack adequate consultation before embarking on that project,’’ he said.
The technical director said the federation would host an All African Age Group Swimming Competition in December and that the ongoing Niger Delta Development Commssion-sponsored competition would help to select a team for the event.
Lawal said the federation was grateful to the NDDC for introducing a developmental programme and that they were hopeful that it would be an annual event for talent hunt. (NAN)