NAqF President elected into Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Board

By Amaechi Agbo

The President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, NAqF, Hon. Lekan Fatodu, has been elected into the Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Board, in a development expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s representation and influence in continental aquatics.

The Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Board comprises 22 countries from the West and Central African regions, and Fatodu described his election as an opportunity to contribute more significantly to the development of swimming and aquatic sports in Nigeria and across the region.

Speaking after his election, the NAqF President said he would use his new position to build stronger collaborations, improve technical development and create greater opportunities for Nigerian swimmers.

“This is a call to greater responsibility and an opportunity to contribute more to the development of aquatics across Africa, while also using the platform to advance the growth of swimming in Nigeria,” Fatodu said.

“We will continue to strengthen partnerships, improve development programmes and create more opportunities for our athletes to compete, develop and excel at the highest level.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Aquatics Federation has made a last-minute inclusion of Commonwealth Games swimmers Clinton Opute and Collins Ebinga into the senior category of the ongoing Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Championship.

The inclusion is expected to further strengthen Team Nigeria as the country continues its impressive performance at the championship.

After Day Two, Nigeria sits top of the Africa Aquatics Zone 2 medal table with an impressive haul of 10 gold, 11 silver and three bronze medals.

Among Nigeria’s standout performances, Aidan Dumuje won gold in the boys’ 100 metres freestyle and added a silver medal in the 50 metres butterfly event.

India Brown also enjoyed an impressive outing, winning gold medals in the women’s 200 metres butterfly and 200 metres freestyle events, while Tofunmi Ibidapo claimed silver in the 200 metres butterfly.

In other results, Omolola Akinsanmi won silver in the girls’ 100 metres freestyle, while Atinuke and Demi secured silver medals in the girls’ and boys’ 100 metres breaststroke events respectively.

Tise added a bronze medal for Nigeria in the girls’ 800 metres event, while Commonwealth Games swimmer Collins Ebinga also claimed silver in the men’s 50 metres butterfly.

With several events still to be decided, Team Nigeria will be aiming to consolidate its position at the top of the medal standings as the championship continues.