The Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) has intensified its grassroots talent-identification drive with the second edition of the Swim to Future Swimming Championship, aimed at discovering and nurturing the next generation of Nigerian swimming champions.
The championship, held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, featured young swimmers aged between five and 14 and was organised in honour of Late Dr. Chamberlain Nnamdi Dunkwu, former President of the Aquatics Federation of Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, NAqF Secretary-General, Horace Oriss, described the championship as a major platform for identifying promising swimmers who could eventually represent Nigeria at the highest level.
Oriss said the federation is determined to use grassroots competitions to discover young talents capable of taking over from the ageing generation of swimmers.
“This event for us is one of the biggest events because thefFederation is very key on talent hunting. This is one of such events that we want to use to identify future champions to replace the ageing, the tired ones,” he said.
He stressed that grassroots talent identification remains a priority for the federation, noting that Nigeria could not afford to allow promising swimmers to go undiscovered.
According to Oriss, the championship is an annual initiative, with the first edition held in 2025 and plans to sustain it in subsequent years.
He added that the federation could organise another competition before the end of 2026, if participation and interest among young swimmers continued to grow.
Oriss explained that competitions play an important role in motivating athletes to train harder, improve their times and develop their competitive abilities.
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The NAqF secretary-general also acknowledged the support of the National Sports Commission (NSC) towards the development and revival of swimming in Nigeria.
He said the NSC has provided the platform and support that enabled the federation to organise the championship, adding that efforts were ongoing to reposition the sport.
Oriss disclosed that the swimming pool could undergo renovation before the end of the year, while an electronic timing system purchased for swimming was also expected to arrive in Nigeria.
He said the developments demonstrated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that swimming receives the attention, facilities and equipment required to reach its full potential.
