Determined to resuscitate aquatic activities in the state, the Oyo State Aquatics Association (OSAA) has decided to continue its catch-them young programme by scouting for talents in schools and enforce blue water safety scheme.
This was disclosed by the chairman of Oyo State Aquatics Association, Architect Muyiwa Ige while briefing newsmen in Ibadan on activities lined up by the body for post pandemic break.
He stated that the body will continue in its drive to tap talents from the grassroots, especially from schools, primary and secondary Schools and winning more medals for the State, while more swimming tourneys will also be introduced in addition to the Annual Bola Ige Memorial Swimming tournament.
The son of the late Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige who just held a posthumous birthday for the late sage noted that Blue Water Safety Scheme instituted by the body will be of paramount importance. “Our strong affiliation and cooperation with the Nigeria Aquatic Federation will ensure coaching and life-guard training and certification”, he added.
“Blue water represents pool water. We shall be regulating all swimming activities, public and private. You must be certified to have a pool. A certified life-guard must be assigned to every pool, to enhance safety. Swimming coaching and training will be regulated for public good”, Ige stated.
The association seeks to promote swimming as a sport at the grassroots level according to the scion of the late Cicero, stressing that swimming is one of the few sports that generate multiple medals and they are still to key into it.
“It is not an over statement when we say that grassroots sports development is crucial to the development of the Nigerian sports industry and this is one of the key missions of the Oyo State Aquatics Association”, the Esa Oke born Architect enthused.
Packaged by Olanrewaju Agiri
