… as Edo Speaker pledges support for talent hunt dev’t
The vision and mission of the Edo State Aquatic Association Board to reset and rejuvenate swimming in Edo State with a view to regaining it’s lost glory in talent hunt and development has received a boost as the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku has pledged to support Edo swimmers’ development programme.
The Edo State House of Assembly Speaker made the promise during the opening ceremony of the much publicised maiden Edo State Aquatic Invitational Swimming Competition on Friday, August 9, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku who demonstrated his swimming skills to declare the 2-day national swimming competition open at the Swimming Pool Complex of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium said that he was elated to be a part of the occasion and plans to revive swimming in Edo State.
He commended the Edo State Aquatic Association Board led by Mr. Clement Minabowan for their commitment to making Edo regain it’s lost glory in swimming, assuring them of his support and that of the State House of Assembly.
“I am happy to be a part of this occasion because I am a sports loving person. I am particularly happy that we are appreciating the solid sports infrastructure put on ground by Edo State Government. It shows that it is not a waste. I love swimming hence I demonstrated that I am from aquatic environment. I am from Ora in Owan surrounded by water, so an average Owan man knows how to swim,” Agbebaku said.
“As requested by the chairman of Edo state Aquatic Association, Mr. Clement Minabowan, I am going to speak to my colleagues in the house and we are going to form a synergy to see how we support the association to achieve their goals in raising swimming champions in Edo state.” Agbebaku assured.
The Chairman, Edo State Aquatic Association Clement Minabowan who expressed joy over the success of the event thanked Governor Godwin Obaseki for giving him and his board members the privilege to serve the state once again.
“I can’t say anything without thanking our Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for giving us the privilege to pull our resources together and bring our experiences to bare as a board made up of professionals to reactivate swimming in Edo state.
“We are happy with the turn out, over twenty states are participating in this swimming event. And we are happy to have the Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly as our special guest who has promised to support what we are doing. We are making this event an annual event. With the support of Mr. Speaker, I am confident we will achieve more,” Minabowan said.
In the day one event, Oka Dorcas of YY Swimming Club of Lagos State won the 200m Individual Medley (women) in a time of 2:45:94. Peremoboere Kimiakigha of Edo finished in a time of 2:53:73 to place second and beat Gift Obodo of Bayelsa State who finished in a time of 3:15:63.
In the men’s category, Shedrack Simon of YY Swimming Club of Lagos won after finishing in a time of 2:30:48, while Dino Ebarakumo of Rivers State came second in a time of 2:32:31. Forcados Kingsley (Edo) came third after finishing in a time of 2:34:35.
In the 50m freestyle developmental (girls), Lucky Eyemi of Edo won after finishing in a time of 30:91, while Ifelumi of Ogun State completed the journey in a time of 33:52. Samuel Comfort (Aqua Swimming Club) came 3rd in a time of 34:12. Titiboh Queen also of Aqua Club came 4th in a time of 34:91
In the boys category, Aidan Dumeje(Delta) came 1st after finishing in a time of 26:23. Tissa Precious of Edo came 2nd in a time of 27:06, while Olise Endurance of Delta came 3rd in a time of 27:76.
In the 50m breastroke – women, Dorcas Oka (YY Academy) won after finishing in a time of 34:60, while Peremoboere Kimiakigha (Edo) came 2nd in a time of 37:24. Adeju Favour (Aqua Sports) finished in 3rd position after finishing in a time of 38:78.
The swimming completion comes to an end on Saturday with awards and medals for the winners.
