Final preparations are being put in place for the much-anticipated Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Swimming Championship, which is set to take place in Delta State. Excitement is palpable as both the Nigerian Navy and the Delta State government lend their unwavering support to what promises to be a significant event on Nigeria’s sporting calendar.
The chief of naval staff has demonstrated a robust commitment to the championship, mobilising various departments within the navy to collaborate with the Nigeria Aquatics Federation. Taiwo Oriss, Secretary General of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are most excited that the CNS himself has thrown his weight around this event and has deployed the relevant department within the Navy structure to work with the federation to ensure its success.”
The National Sports Commission (NSC) alongside the Delta State Government is also stepping up to back the championship. Oriss added, “Even the National Sports Commission and host Delta State Government is rallying around the federation at the dying minute—at the 11th hour, I must say—to ensure its success.”
This concerted institutional effort has raised expectations that this year’s event will set new benchmarks in the realm of Nigerian swimming.
As swimming rises in popularity across Nigeria, the Nigeria Aquatics Federation is calling on residents of Delta State and sports enthusiasts nationwide to show their support for the athletes. “We look forward to having the good people of Delta State around to cheer our champions to victory,” Oriss stated, underscoring the importance of community engagement.
The surge in swimming’s popularity has been notable, particularly following the last National Sports Festival in Abeokuta where swimming led all events in attendance. “Swimming emphatically had the highest followership at the last National Sports Festival. It shows that Nigerians are beginning to put swimming first,” noted Oriss. This trend aligns with global patterns, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently reported record viewership and engagement for swimming during the last Olympic Games.
Participating teams are set to arrive on Sunday, July 13, 2025, with practice sessions commencing the following day. Each team will receive one hour in the pool for training, divided into morning and afternoon sessions. Oriss confirmed, “All the teams are going to be scheduled to come into the pool for practice as planned—some in the morning, others in the afternoon.”
The main competition will officially kick off on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, with an opening ceremony slated for 3 p.m., coinciding with the arrival of key dignitaries and special guests.
The championship is expected to attract a wide array of participants from across the nation, including state teams, clubs, schools, and military and paramilitary institutions. Although late registrations are common, 13 teams and clubs have already confirmed their participation. An official from the federation noted, “Although most of our teams do last-minute registration, we already have 13 confirmed.”
