Bayelsa Dominates National Para-Swimming Open Championships

Bayelsa is currently dominating the 2nd National Para-Swimming Open Championships in Abuja, winning eight medals so far.

Laye Zarat and Innocent Terifa, both from Bayelsa, came first in the 200m individual men medley in the 898 and 777 classes.

The state also took first in the 50m butterfly women and men categories through Vera Tona and Innocent Taifa in 898 and 777 class respectively.

For the 50m backstroke for men and women, Laye Zarat and Vera Tona came first in 878 and 898 classes.

Innocent Terifa also emerged first in 50m backstroke and 100m breaststroke in 777 class.

Osun followed, winning three of the events, while Ondo and Delta had one win each.

Terifa told NAN that Bayelsa was topping the national championships because athletes had been training ahead of the event.

He attributed his winning to God and his ability to abide by the instructions of his coach.

The two-day event featured athletes from eight states of the federation as against 20 that was expected.

Sylvester Ikuejamoye, President of Nigeria Para-Swimming Federation, attributed the poor participation to inadequate information.

“This is championships that the new board inherited. We would have cancelled it but we decided to host it for continuity.

“We hope it will improve in the next edition,’’ he said.

Ikuejamoye urged the state government to embrace swimming and support the federation to make the country proud by winning medal in international championships.

He expressed satisfaction with the performance of the athletes, adding that with more championships, the athletes would perform better.

“We have identified athletes in these championships that have met the Africa standard and with proper training; they will be ready to represent Nigeria in the near future.’’
DE/PDE