November 17, (THEWILL) – As swimmers and aquatic sport stakeholders from thirty-two African countries get set to converge on Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, for the 1st African Invitational Swimming Championship tagged, ‘Peace and Progress’ in honour of ECOWAS Chairman and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended Africa Aquatics Zone 2 and Demakers Business Roundtable for the initiative.
Abbas, who made the commendation when the International Director of Planning and Implementation of the championship, Dr. Godwin Tammy N, presented the trophy of the event to him on Thursday, in Abuja, preparatory to the official unveiling/presentation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a later date in Abuja, said he was elated by the choice of Tinubu for such honour in appreciation of his charismatic leadership and growing regional influence as ECOWAS Chairman in turbulent times in the sub-region.
The Speaker, under whose lead role the 1st African Invitational Swimming Championship is being organised by Africa Aquatics, Zone 2, Dakar, Senegal and Demakers Business Roundtable, Abuja, noted that sports create job opportunities for the youth population, either directly or indirectly, in other related sectors, such as infrastructure and services, transportation, accommodation, and security, which in turn helps to reduce unemployment to improve household income levels and boost economic growth.
Abbas maintained that the forthcoming swimming championship would be a good platform to discover credible talents that could be groomed and mentored to represent Nigeria at international championships in the future, as the event would inspire all levels and age grades to participate competitively in a secure environment, where values such as teamwork, patriotism and courage would imbue in the citizens.
While handing over the tournament trophy to the Abbad, the International Director, Planning and Implementation of the championship, Dr. Godwin Tammy N, expressed his deep appreciation to the Speaker for his sacrifice of love and commitment towards President Tinubu and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, describing the 1st African International Invitational Swimming Championship as a moment of aquatic sport festivity.
He informed that the organisers would be grateful to unveil the trophy during the formal presentation of the trophy to the ECOWAS Chairman and President Of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to signal the commencement of the event on a later date.
Dr. Tammy also hinted that the championship, which is being organised in collaboration with relevant institutions within and beyond the African continent, would be hosted by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FTC), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
“This is the first of its kind ever organised for an African leader. It promises to be an exciting event and a moment of glory, laced with blissful ecstasy, finesse and alluring quality of talents dotted across Africa, with over five thousand male and female swimmers from 32 countries converging on the beautiful city of Abuja to fight for the continental crown. It will attract a collection of regional stakeholders in sports development, who are committed to youth development and empowerment,” Dr. Tammy hinted.
Dignitaries present during the handing over of the trophy to Speaker Abbas include Prof. Dan-Azumi, Jake, Chief of Staff to the Speaker; Hon. Dr. Aliyu Mustapha, Vice Chairman, Upstream Petroleum; Dr. Chamberlain, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Speaker; and Hon. Jingi Rufai, among other honourable members of the House of Representatives.
