National junior champion Chukwudi Kanu showed his class at the kickoff of season four of the annual Dolphin Swimming League held on October 29, in Lagos.
The 15-year-old student of Grange School who represented at the 2022 World Junior Swimming Championships in Peru dominated most of his events while he also guided his team to victory in the relay and mixed relay events of the one-day tournament organized by Dynaspro Promotion and Advanta Interactive Limited.
Hundreds of students from six Lagos schools – Greensprings School, Grange School, Lagos Preparatory and Secondary School, Children International School, Riverbank School, and St. Saviour’s School were cheered to victory by their parents and guardians while the presence of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) added glamour to the one-day swimming fiesta hosted by Grange School in Ikeja.
The easy-going Kanu was in fine form in 50m breast, freestyle, and backstroke events who he easily won.
The light-completion swimmer also dominated the boys’ 50m butterfly, while he spearheaded Grange to victory in the mixed medley relay as well as mixed freestyle relay.
Most of the participants showed class and this was also confirmed by the Technical Director of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Samuel Jesimiel, who admitted the times posted by the athletes have been impressive compared to previous editions.
Taira Tijani, a parent, believes the students need support to showcase their talents in sports apart from their academics, adding that this would help broaden their knowledge and afford them total education beyond the four walls of the class.
The Youth Project Officer of NOC, Kemi Obidahunsi, said the organisers should be commended for the initiative while pledging the support of NOC to help the tournament to grow as well as expose the students to international tournaments.
For the coordinator of the tournament Oluseyi Oyebode, there are plans to partner with the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) and NOC to expose the students to international tournaments.