Thrilled by the efforts of Nigerian swimmers winning a bronze medal in the men’s 4x100m freestyle, Nigeria Aquatic Federation president, Chinoye Daphey Aliu has called for more athletes to be included in the team to the African Games.
Winning bronze at the 2023 Games in Accra, Ghana was the first time in three decades Nigeria would be winning a medal in the sport and according to Daphey Aliu, the country could have done better with more swimmers in the team.
“We came with only four swimmers and we didn’t have the luxury of resting our athletes between the events,” said Daphey Aliu.
“ Other countries like Egypt and South Africa have so many swimmers to fall back on in the many swimming events, but our swimmers had to go through it and it is a great achievement to have won a bronze the first time in 30 years of African Games.
“For me it is a great improvement and we have to take swimming seriously in Nigeria. Take for instance the mixed relay, we have only six countries for a straight final, and we could have participated in that and got a medal.
“We need six swimmers; four men and two women at least to make more impact.”
