Kunle Adelabu
Ten out of the thirteen swimmers from Ikorodu that were invited to the pre-Edo 2020 festival camp have qualified to represent Lagos State in the swimming event.
There were many swimming activities but individual athletes are not expected to participate in not more than three events at the festival.
THE IMPACT gathered that the swimmers representing Lagos State who are being camped at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, would be participating in about 30 swimming events in Edo.
Two of the junior swimmers from Ikorodu that represented the state at the National Youth Games in Ilorin last year and won several medals also made the team. The athletes are Adeju Favour (won 2 gold medals) and Simon Shadrack (won a silver and a bronze).
Also qualified is Benson Philip, the captain of the Lagos swimming team who has participated in many state and national tournaments where he had won many medals.
Others who have qualified in the boys’ category are Olopele Smart, Urounah Victor, Simeon Biloha and John Ebiware.
In the girls’ category, those that have qualified are Olopele Mercy, Benson Franca and John Faith while Simeon Ere, John Agnes and Timitei Precious from Ikorodu, failed to qualify.
In an attempt to have adequate preparations for the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival in Benin, Edo State, THE IMPACT gathered that the athletes, who are based in Majidun in Ikorodu, have been in camp for 4 weeks before the Lagos State Sports Commission officially opened camp on March 8.
Some of the swimmers complained about the late invitation to camp and condition of in camp but they are positive that swimming would win medals for the state.
Speaking with THE IMPACT in a chat, the captain the team, Benson Philip stated that the swimmers are expecting tough competitions in Edo but that they are sure of winning medals.
“Our expectations at the forthcoming sports festival holding in Edo are the same as always; to win medals for our dear state”, he stated.
“We expect it to be a tough one because different champions from other parts of Nigeria will be present but we hope to come home with some Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.
“We are determine and focus on winning and that’s the belief of every athlete that’s going for a competition and win. With God on our side and with the quality of training we had, we are sure of winning medals” .
