By Eddie Akalonu
Arrangements have reached advanced stage for the hosting of the 9th African Junior Swimming Championships taking place at the Adokie Amiesimaka Stadium in PortHarcourt, Rivers State from December 1 to 4.

Disclosing this was Chief Olatokunboh Thomas, Chairman of the Organising Committee in an interview with Saturday Vanguard sports. He said, “ We are ready to host the championships under the auspices of the African Swimming Confederation (CANA).” He said “many countries from southern, northern and western parts of the continent have signified their interest to participate and by our calculation, they will start arriving the country from November 27.”

Although he did not reveal names, Chief Thomas, who is a bureau member of FINA, swimming”s world governing body and chairman of it’s Legal Commission, disclosed that “all arrangements have been concluded to give Africa a good championships besides the fact that it will come under very serene atmosphere and modern venue in Nigeria.”

In a related development, president of the Nigeria Swimming Federation,NSF, Babatunde Fatayi- Williams disclosed to Saturday Vanguard sports that 35 swimmers have been in camp at the University of Port Harcourt, adding, “ there is an Olympic size swimming pool there and that is where our swimmers have been training in readiness for the championships supervised by five coaches.” Asked how many swimmers the federation hopes to present for the championships proper, he replied, “ We will be presenting 28 swimmers.

That’s the maximum allowed for each federation but the composition in terms of how many males and females make up the 28 will be determined by the coaches and technical committee after a series of trials being conducted side by side the camping exercise” he said.