The four day Governor’s Para- Swimming Classic put together to develop the game has ended in Lagos with the convener and multiple Olympian Bose Kaffo expressing happiness with it’s success.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Kaffo who doubles as the Vice President of Para- Swimming Federation of Nigeria said the classic enabled her to collect data on the athletes performance, time, endurance level and general knowledge of the game which will help in further development of the sports.
” It wasn’t easy organising this classic but am excited with the turnout and the enthusiasm shown by the athletes which shows that para- swimming has come to stay in the country
“The good thing about the classic was that it gave me an opportunity to take some of these athletes off the street while those who felt discouraged because of lack of tournaments came back to be part of the event.
” You know that most of the athletes are in the national team and the classic was an opportunity to organise and monitor their training before the competition as well as collect data on their performance, speed, velocity, endurance level and general understanding of the rules of the game which will help us further develop the sports.
“The good thing about the data we collected is that at the end of the day, we shall sit down with the coaches, analyse those data scientifically and see areas of improvement”, she enthused.
According to the specialist on governance of disability sports , who has worked with people with disability abroad, kudos must go to the Governor of Lagos State and some sponsors who believed in the concept and gave her support to organise the competition even as she expressed hope that with the successes recorded, more sponsors will like to identify with future editions.
“I must commend the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo- Olu for believing in disability sports and his encouragement to our efforts. Kudos must also go to other sponsors who believed in us and supported the programme and I look forward to more support from corporate Nigeria for the sports to grow.
In his remarks Director of Grassroots Sports at the National Sports Commission, Patrick Okeke commended the Federation for the classic, positing that it is in line with the Commission’s plan of developing special sports at the grassroots.
” I must have to commend Bose Kaffo and the entire Para- Swimming Federation of Nigeria for this classic which is necessary for Nigeria to make a mark in para – swimming at the international stage
“The classic is in line with what the new leadership of NSC is doing to develop all sports at the grassroots and we’re going to support the Federation achieve that mandate”he assured
Also speaking, Yinka Omogoye the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Fan Junction Limited said he decided to identify with the classic because of his belief that there’s ability in disability and that special athletes have won more laurels for the country than their able bodied counterparts and as such need to be supported both financially and morally
He appealed to all well meaning Nigerians to support para sports to enable them raise the flag of the country higher at the global level
President General of Nigeria Football Supporters Club Dr. Rafiu Ladipo while commending the convener for giving back to the society through the classic charged the athletes to remain focused even as he appealed to government at all levels and corporate organisations to support her efforts in moving the game to higher pedestal.
The classic held at the Olympic size Swimming Pool of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, attracted more than 40 athletes with different forms of disability including the blind and partially sighted persons
They participated in 12 events such as; 50 meters freestyle S5/ S6 class for both men and women, 100 meters men and women freestyle S5/S6 class, 100 meters S7/S8, men and women backstroke, 100 meters SB 9/10 men and women breastroke 50 meters men and women S11/14 freestyle, 50 meters men and women SB7/S8 breastroke, mixed 4×50 meter S5/S6 freestyle and S11/S14 4×50 Meyers Mixed Relay.
Trophies were presented to the winners at the end of the championship.
