The victorious Edo swimmers finished 1st after a bumper harvest of 11 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals at the three-day Asaba National Under 18 competition, which ended on Friday evening.
The host state, Delta came second with 6 gold while Jimi Osinnowo club from Lagos state won the third position with 4 gold medals in the three-day National Junior Swimming Competition, which had over 50 athletes from 10 states and four clubs as participants.
Agnes John, 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke; Peremoboere Kima Kiagha, 50m and 200m breaststroke and 200m, were among the six-man Team Edo swimmers whose exceptional performances brought honour to Edo state.
Team Edo girls, on the first day of the championship, won six gold medals from the 200m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 50 and 100ms breaststroke, 200m free style and 200m before the men completed the rout on the final day.
The competition was held to select the best athletes that will represent Nigeria at the sub-continental competition of West Africa and Central Africa zone, coming up in August in Accra, Ghana.
Chairman, Technical Committee of the Nigeria Aquatic Federation, Mr Nse-Obong Samuel, who said he was impressed with the performances of the athletes in the swimming events, expressed optimism that they will do well in the forthcoming sub continental competition.
Reacting to the performance of team Edo at the Asaba swimming competition, the chairman, Edo state Aquatic Association Board, Mr Clement Sunday Minabowan, said he felt honoured and fulfilled by his athletes’ performance.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Edo state Sports Commission, Mrs Sabina Chikere, has heaped praise on the Team Edo swimmers that won the National Under 18 Swimming Competition.
Mrs Chikere congratulated the team, led by Coach Poland Benazimo and the Edo Aquatic Association Board, led by their Chairman, Mr Clement Sunday Minabowan, for bringing honour to Edo state.
“You people have done well. We are impressed by the performances of the swimmers – going to compete with the best in the country and coming out tops, is a cheering news for us. We want more of such honours. Congratulations to the team of champions,” She said.
