The Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF), says preparations are in top gear for the 12th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Swimming Championship slated for the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, from July 15 to July 19.

Chinoye Aliyu, president of the federation, said this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja adding that the tournament will discover talents to represent the country.

“This championship is a cornerstone of our strategic plan to identify, nurture and prepare elite athletes who will represent Nigeria at international events.

“Recently, Nigeria made history by breaking two African records in the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle events at the Africa Junior Swimming Championships earlier this month (May).

“It is on the backdrop of these that we encourage swimmers below 18 years of age to register as the CNS tournament has both junior and senior or elite categories.

“We are also expecting a wide range of swimmers; from tertiary institutions, the para-military, states and clubs to register and participate in the tournament.

“The federation’s technical committee and national scouts will be on ground to evaluate performances and select exceptional swimmers for advanced training,’’ Aliyu said.

The President also lauded efforts of the Nigerian Navy and the CNS Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla for his continued support and collaboration towards discovering young talents in the sport.

“I want to particularly thank the Nigerian Navy for restoring the lost glory of swimming in Nigeria.

“Like I said earlier, we broke two records in Egypt, eventually clinching three golds and one bronze medal—an unprecedented feat in the nation’s swimming history.

“This was also due to the support from the CNS who released to us Lt.-Cdr. Labake Oriretan, a former champion and seasoned coach to guide the national team during the competition,” she said.

On his part, Rear Adm. Patrick Nwatu, the chairman, Nigerian Navy Swimming Association, said the partnership has been worthwhile, stressing their continued support for the sport.

“We see supporting NAqF as one of our corporate social responsibility to the nation.

“For almost 14 years now, the Nigerian Navy has been part of this endeavour and we are constantly looking for ways to see how we can improve and contribute our quota.

“We will see how we can identify athletes to be able to participate in international events and also encourage open water swimming.

“Over the years, the collaboration has been worthwhile and we look forward to other areas we can support and partner in the future.

“The last edition was well attended and we look forward to a greater participation this year where we can have our youths express themselves,” Nwatu added.

Also in attendance at the event are Rear Adm. Yusuf Idris, the director of sports Nigerian Navy, Taiwo Oriss, the secretary general of NAqF, Dauda Usman, the vice president of NAqF, amongst others. (NAN)

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has declared Enugu City International Marathon as an annual event to aimed at harnessing the skills of the youths.

The state governor, who kicked off the 42 kilometre race with a gun sound at exactly 6.30am, emphasized the significance of the event, saying over 100 international athletes from around the world participated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the marathon which began from Mgbemena area of the state passed through Coal Camp Road, Independence Layout, Zik Avenue, Okpara Square, Presidential and NTA Roads, Market Square and Ebe Ano Tunnel Road.

Mbah also participated in the 10 kilometre race which kicked off at exactly 9:30am.

In the male and female categories, Kenyans took the first positions with the prize sum of $15,000 each, first runners up from Ethiopia, were given $10,000 each, 3rd positions smiled home with $5,000 each while other and consolation prizes were given to other athletes.

The governor expressed his profound joy for its success, noting that the race was ran alongside Nigeria’s top distance runners, making it the largest road race ever staged in southeastern Nigeria.

He added that the state hosted the marathon to make Enugu State a sporting hub for global competitions and activities

This, he said, would showcase the richness of the state and its hospitable disposition to the entire world and attracting over 3 million tourists into Enugu.

According to him, making the marathon an annual event will drive tourism, stimulate local businesses, and create lasting economic benefits as Enugu is open for tourism, investment, and world-class sporting events.

The event attracted the likes of former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, an legendary movie actor, Nkem Owo popularly known as Osuofia, among others.

The marathon featured live entertainment, including a performance by popular Nigerian artiste Kcee, transforming the event into a full-scale celebration of sport, music, and entertainment

The 2025 edition of the Chief Margaret Icheen Benue State Football League kicks off on Sunday in Makurdi.

Icheen, a board member of the Nigerian Football Federation, who performed the ceremonial kick-off at the Benue State University Sports Arena, commended the Benue Football Association (BFA) for naming the league after her.

The former speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly said that she was happy to witness another opening ceremony of the state league.

She said that such tournaments were beyond just playing football, but were meant to discover talents, who can build up the system of football.“Because of the many talents that we have in this state, we need to have more than one team representing the state.

“I want to ask the participants to take this tournament very seriously so that they can achieve something meaningful afterward.

“I urged the referees to ensure that this tournament goes on successfully to the end,” she urged.

The Chairman of the Benue Football Association, Paul Edeh, said the momentum of this year’s league would be far better than the previous years because of the number of teams participating in the league.

Edeh said that more than 40 teams have registered to participate in the league, which shows the BFA’s commitment to growing football at the grassroots level.“We will be sustaining the tournament by increasing the prize money. The winner goes home with half a million naira; the runner-up gets ₦300,000, while third place will be rewarded with N200,000.

“In addition, the eight teams that would qualify for the Super Eight will go home with a brand new set of jerseys and a minimum of five balls.“All the coaches that finished in the first four would get automatic scholarships to study at the National Institute for Sports in Abuja.“Our belief is that when we sustain coaches training, we will be able to discover talents that we need in the state,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary, Benue State Ministry of Sports Development, Philip Nongu, lauded the organisers of the league.Nongu pledged the ministry’s support for the success of the league and other sporting activities in the state.Report says that Unity Football Academy defeated Sulash Football Academy, 6-1, in the opener fixture of the league.

The winners took the lead in the first minute of the encounter, but the opponent equalised halfway into the first 45 minutes.Unity FA, however, restored their lead a few minutes before the end of the first half through a penalty.

The Match Day One winners doubled their lead a few minutes into the second half through another penalty before putting the match beyond the reach of Sulash by scoring three more goals. (NAN)