22nd February, 2012
Coach of the Nigeria Swimming Federation, Saheed Obadina, has disclosed that Nigerian swimmers may not participate at the Olympics swimming qualifying tournament in Manchester next month, if the problem of funding is not addressed on time by the Nigeria Swimming Federation.
Obadina, speaking to P.M. Sports in Abuja, said that Nigeria has talented swimmers that can excel if given the opportunity to participate in international championships.
“Nigeria is blessed with talented swimmers. What these swimmers need is exposure to international swimming championships. Nigeria has a chance of making it to the Olympics swimming event if we can participate at the Manchester qualifying tournament next month.
“But the Federation lacks proper funding to participate in major swimming championships in the world. Nigeria may not participate at the Manchester tournament, if the problem of funding is not addressed on time. ” Obadina said.
He reiterated that Nigeria has a big chance of participating in the swimming event at the Olympics, if the federation can get sponsorship for two or three home-based swimmers for the Manchester tournament.
“Nigeria may get representatives at the London Olympics if we can get sponsors for two or three of our home-based swimmers to the Manchester tournament. But getting sponsors for them is the problem at the moment,” he added.
—Francis Achi/Abuja