BY JULIET EKWENUGO, Abuja
More than 1,000 young swimmers from 32 African countries are expected to participate in the maiden African Invitational Swimming Championship scheduled for December 14 to 20, 2026, at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The competition, organised in collaboration with Africa Aquatics, the continental governing body for aquatic sports, and the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), will feature male and female athletes aged between 14 and 18 years competing in about 32 events.
The championship is being organised in honour of President Bola Tinubu, with organisers identifying youth development, sporting advancement and continental cooperation as key objectives of the event.
Speaking at a press conference, OSMA President, retired Major General Maikano Abdullahi, said the decision to honour Tinubu was influenced by what he described as the President’s contributions to youth development.
Abdullahi said the partnership among the organisers would help deliver the championship, adding that the initiative had received support from the President, Vice-President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and other stakeholders.
The Director of Planning and Implementation, Godwin Tammy, said the championship was conceived to recognise Tinubu’s role in Nigeria and Africa, particularly in youth development.
He said the event would also provide young swimmers with opportunities to develop their abilities and gain exposure to international competition.
The Vice-President of Africa Aquatics, Babatunde Fatayi-Williams, described the championship as an opportunity to showcase aquatic sports and renew international interest in swimming in Nigeria.
Fatayi-Williams recalled that Abuja hosted the 2003 All-Africa Games, expressing optimism that the forthcoming competition would provide another opportunity to promote aquatic sports in the country.
The championship is also expected to strengthen cooperation between Nigeria’s aquatics authorities and the continental governing body, while exposing participating athletes to competitive standards beyond their domestic environment.
The Technical Director of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Nseobong Samuel Jesimiel, said preparations were underway to accommodate the athletes and ensure the successful hosting of the competition.
Jesimiel said the championship would help raise Nigeria’s profile in swimming and provide a platform for athletes and officials from participating countries to interact in a peaceful sporting environment.
He added that the technical team was prepared to receive the competitors and deliver the event with support from the federation’s leadership and other partners.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio is serving as the African Project Ambassador for the championship.
Beyond the competition for medals, the event is expected to give emerging swimmers opportunities to demonstrate their abilities, gain international experience and measure their performance against athletes from other African countries.
The organisers also expect the participation of 32 countries to encourage exchanges among swimmers, coaches and sports administrators, while strengthening sporting ties across the continent.
