By Ado Salisu
Thirty-six states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, are set to compete in the National School Swimming Championship, tagged “FISH,” scheduled to take place in Lagos.
Organized by the Nigerian School Sports Federation (NSSF), the competition aims to revive the lost glory of school sports across the nation.
In a statement released by the Secretary General of the NSSF, Dr. Oba Funsho Usman, the championship will be held at the National Stadium Swimming Pool in Surulere, Lagos, on February 13th and 14th, 2025.
Usman explained that the event is designed to bring together young athletes from both public and private schools, allowing them to showcase their swimming skills and compete at the national level. The eventual winner will have the unique opportunity to represent Nigeria at the International School Federation (ISF) Gymnasiade and other international school sports competitions later in the year.
The competition will feature Under-18 and Under-15 boys’ and girls’ categories in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly events, including 50-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter races.
Additionally, Usman revealed that the federation will also host a chess competition for secondary schools in Under-9, 12, 15, and 18 categories. This event will be held at the Universal Basic Education Board Hall, Maryland, Lagos, on February 10th and 11th, 2025.
An administrative seminar is scheduled for February 12th at the NSSF Secretariat, National Stadium, Surulere, while the Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Stakeholders Forum meeting will take place on February 13th, 2025, at the same venue.
Four secondary schools from Kano State are set to represent the state in the events organized by the NSSF in Lagos.
Speaking to the press about the arrangements made by the state Ministry of Education, Ibrahim Bello, the head of school sports in the ministry, assured that all preparations were in place for the success of the state’s contingent in Lagos.
Bello confirmed that the athletes have been undergoing intensive training to make a significant impact in the championships. The four schools representing Kano are Government Secondary Schools Minjibir, Bagwai, Bukavu Barracks, and GSS Stadium.
He commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gwani Ali Haruna Makoda, for their unwavering financial and moral support. Bello also expressed gratitude to the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Bashir Baffa Muhammad, and other senior staff for their continued cooperation in promoting the state’s profile in sports, both within and outside Kano.