Nigeria Top Medal Table As Fatodu Secures Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Board Seat

Nigeria Top Medal Table As Fatodu Secures Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Board Seat

By Our Reporter 

President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF), Lekan Fatodu, has been elected to the Board of Africa Aquatics Zone 2, further strengthening Nigeria’s representation in the administration and development of aquatic sports in the sub-region, BSNSports.com.ng reports. 

The Africa Aquatics Zone 2 comprises 22 countries across West and Central Africa, with Fatodu’s election providing Nigeria with an opportunity to play a more prominent role in shaping the growth of swimming and other aquatic disciplines on the continent.

Speaking after his election, Fatodu described the new responsibility as an opportunity to contribute to the development of aquatics in Africa while advancing the interests of Nigerian athletes.

“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, Team Nigeria has continued its impressive showing at the ongoing Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Championship, with the country sitting at the summit of the medal table after two days of competition.

Nigeria has so far won 24 medals — 10 gold, 11 silver and three bronze — to lead the standings as the championship enters its decisive stages.

In a move aimed at further strengthening the national team, the Nigeria Aquatics Federation also secured the last-minute inclusion of Commonwealth Games swimmers Clinton Opute and Collins Ebinga in the senior category.

The additional reinforcements have added depth to Nigeria’s senior team, with Ebinga already contributing to the medal haul by winning silver in the men’s 50 metres butterfly.

Among the other standout Nigerian performances, Aidan Dumuje claimed gold in the boys’ 100 metres freestyle and followed it with silver in the 50 metres butterfly.

India Brown also produced an impressive double, winning gold in both the women’s 200 metres butterfly and 200 metres freestyle, while Tofunmi Ibidapo secured silver in the 200 metres butterfly.

Omolola Akinsanmi added another silver in the girls’ 100 metres freestyle, while Atinuke and Demi won silver medals in the girls’ and boys’ 100 metres breaststroke respectively.

Tise completed the individual medal performances with bronze in the girls’ 800 metres event.

With more events still to be contested, Nigeria will be hoping to maintain its momentum and strengthen its position at the top of the medal standings before the championship concludes.