31st August, 2010
President of Nigeria Swimming Federation, Babatunde Fatayi-Williams, has promised good outing in the forthcoming African Senior Swimming Championship in Casablanca, Morocco.
The championship, which will feature all Africa countries, will take place between 13 and 19 September in the North African country.
Twelve Nigerian swimmers, seven male and five female, are already in camp at the Games Village, Surulere, Lagos State, ahead of the Africa tourney.
Fatayi-Williams is optimistic that Nigerian swimmers will not only take part in the tourney but are ready to make the nation proud.
He said Nigeria has what it takes to excel in the championship if the swimmers are determined and focused.
Fatayi-Williams also said the tournament will be a preparatory ground for the swimmers ahead of the All Africa Games and other future international competitions.
“We have won gold in swimming at the All Africa Games and we can still do it again. Our swimmers are good and ready to give their best in Morocco. So I expect them to put up a good performance in the championship,†he said.
The president, however, disclosed that the countries that can pose a threat to Nigerian swimmers are Tunisia and South Africa.
“Tunisia and South Africa have good swimmers, but if Nigerian swimmers can train well and are exposed to high profile competitions, they can beat the swimmers from these countries to win the gold medal,†he said
—Sunday Akintoye