Registration excites organisers of Ibadan swimming event

The organisers of Ibadan age grade swimming have expressed delight over the huge entries recorded so far in the ‘run-in’ to the event

As at Monday evening, a total of 103 swimmers have registered for the annual event, which is in its 2nd edition and billed to take place on Friday and Saturday, April 18th and 19th.

The Swimming Pool of the University of Ibadan is the venue of the event expected to add spice to the forthcoming Easter celebrations of lovers of swimming.

A total of 22 athletes comprising 13 females and nine males have been registered to compete in the colours of the University of Ife (OAU) while Jossy Swimming Club registered 35 swimmers, just as the host, the University of Ibadan will compete with a total of 15 swimmers comprising 9 male and 6 female athletes.

Also, two swimmers have so far registered as unattached; Crossil has registered three swimmers; six athletes will compete in the colours of Smart while Sharks Squad will file out with a total of 20 swimmers.

The convener of the event, 15-year-old Oluwatimilehin Olaiya, told Sporting Tribune that the forthcoming event would start 9am each day and there are expectations of more entries before the event starts on Friday in Ibadan.

Olaiya said: “We are so happy and excited about the registration and many are still coming. I am optimistic that this will be better than the last event because we have started preparation earlier and everything is going on smoothly.

“Our technical team is also ready and we believe this event will be the rallying point in swimming every year.

To actualise the dream of young Olaiya to stage to Ibadan Swimming Championships this year, Telecommunications giants, MTN and Rite Foods and Mr GB Agboola have rendered support in various ways.