Nigeria Aquatics chief honours late Dunkwu, delays youth event

Nigeria Aquatics Federation president Lekan Fatodu has paid tribute to the late Dr Chamberlain Nnamdi Dunkwu, a former head of the federation and an influential figure in the development of swimming in Nigeria.

The second edition of NAqF’s youth programme, Swim To The Future, has been postponed and will now take place on September 5. The federation will dedicate the event to Dunkwu in recognition of his work in Nigerian aquatics and his support for young swimmers.

Fatodu described Dunkwu as a major stakeholder whose encouragement helped drive the sport’s progress. He also linked the decision to honour him with the former president’s commitment to creating opportunities for the next generation of Nigerian swimmers.

Swim To The Future is designed for children aged five to 14. NAqF wants the programme to help identify promising swimmers, give them regular competitive experience and provide a route towards higher-level competition, including international events.

The federation also intends to use the initiative to increase youth participation and strengthen swimming development at grassroots level. Parents, schools, clubs, coaches and other aquatics stakeholders are being encouraged to support the programme and its talent-development objectives.

Fatodu said the tribute would connect the event with Dunkwu’s belief in the potential of young Nigerians. He said the federation’s long-term aim was to give emerging swimmers the environment and progression pathway needed to develop into future champions, while continuing the work associated with Dunkwu’s contribution to the sport.