Swimming fans have endorsed the board of the Nigeria Swimming Federation for re-election during the forthcoming sports federations election in April.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) had ordered the federations to conduct elections into their management boards in April.
In separte interviews with Tidesports in Lagos, the sport’s enthusiasts said the board, led by Babatunde Fatayi-Williams, had revived swimming at the grassroots and promoted it to international level.
They said the board tried its best, in spite of lack of funds and facilities which militated against the rapid development of the sport.
They, however, said that the outgoing board should desist from using politics in the selection of swimmers to international competitions, if re-elected.
The federation’s National Coach Monsuru Obadina told Tidesports that the outgoing board had performed well for it to be re-elected.
Obadina also said that the board had been effective in reviving the sport at the grassroots which helped in the discovery of young talents.
“Swimming was almost dead in this country but when the outgoing board took over in 2009, it immediately began a revival programme which has put the sport where it is today.
“In spite of lack of funds and facilities which has been the greatest challenge, I think the board should be retained during the elections for continuity.’’
Head Coach, Delta Swimming Association, Monday Aigbe, also said that the board put in its best to promote the sport, especially through organising competitions.
Aigbe said coaching clinics for swimmers and officials which had helped to improve performance topped the agenda of the board.
“The board performed beyond reasonable doubt and this is because most of its members were former swimmers and have passion to develop the sport,’’ he said.
A Lagos state swimmer, Gbatomini Williams, lauded the board for ensuring that swimming bounced back to reckoning in Nigeria and Africa.EShe said that since the board took over, swimmers had been attending international competitions, adding that they should be retained and be empowered financially for continuity.
Doutimi Gagbe, a swimmer from Delta, said that she was impressed with the way the federation ensured the sport was developed.
“Fatayi-Williams always dedicated his time and spent his personal money to ensure that the sport is not relegated, he should be given another chance,’’ Gagbe said.
Yellow Yeiyah, the country’s number one male swimmer, also said that Fatayi-Williams and other members of the board had done well to be re-elected.
Yeiyah, however, said that the board should desist from the politics of selecting some swimmers for international competitions without trials and camping.
“Fatayi-Williams is the driving force of the NSF because he motivates us personally and also used his personal funds to sponsor swimmers to international competitions.
“The only problem I have with the outgoing board is that they played politics at times by selecting swimmers for international competitions without trials and camping, this should be stopped,’’ Yeiyah said.
The board took over leadership when the sport was concessioned to the Nigerian Navy in 2009 after a dearth of activities since 2005.