BY JOE APU

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Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung over the weekend in Lagos commended the grassroots developmental programmes of the Navy Sailing Club, Ojo, Lagos noting that the foresight of the club is one that should be emulated. The minister who was represented at the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Nigerian Navy by the Director of Grassroots sports development in the ministry, Ademola Aree, stated that the directive of President Buhari that watersports should be encouraged is in line with the strides that the Navy Sailing Club is carrying out.
He noted that the concentration of the club in catching athletes at a very young age is something that gladdens his heart. “The swimmers I have seen here today give me hope that with constant training, Nigeria will have athletes that would represent her well in major international competitions. There’s a lot of promise in these athletes and I look forward to seeing them progress in the near future.”
Commodore, Navy Sailing Club, Babatunde Giwa-Daramola while thanking several senior military officers from the Nigerian Navy and the Army as well as civilian guests noted that the idea of paying attention to age grade swimming is to kick start preparations in earnest for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
“The Navy Sailing Club was established in 1987 and it remains the biggest of all clubs associated with watersports. We have produced national athletes that have represented the country at international events and what you have seen of our swimmers and sailors is geared towards the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.”
As a club we will continue to give the athletes the enabling environment to train and we thank our benefactor, the Nigerian Navy for the support we have enjoyed over the years.”
The diamond jubilee celebration of the Navy also witnessed the commissioning of the intra-road network of the club. The athletes were showered with attractive prizes after the conclusion of events in open water swimming, canoeing, kayak and sailing.