CNS Swimming Championship Set to Kick-Off

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

As preparations gear up for one of Nigeria’s biggest swimming competitions, key stakeholders are rallying to ensure a historic and successful outing. Leading the charge is the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), who has expressed strong support for the event by deploying relevant departments within the Nigerian Navy to work closely with the federation.

“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 around the federation to ensure its success,” These Secretary General of the Federation Taiwo Oriss

The National Sports Commission and the host, Delta State, is also making last-minute but impactful moves to support the event. “Even the National Sports Commission and the host Delta State Government is rallying around the federation at the dying minute, at the 11th hour, I must say, to ensure the success,” Taiwo Oriss added.

With the level of institutional backing, there is a strong sense of optimism that this year’s edition will surpass all previous ones. “We are about to see an event that is bigger than whatever we have seen before in the past,” he said confidently.

Delta State residents and sports lovers across the country are urged to come out and support the athletes. “We look forward to having the good people of Delta State around to cheer our champions to victory again,” he emphasized.

Swimming continues to grow in popularity across Nigeria. At the last National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, it drew the highest crowd among all sports, a trend that officials believe reflects a national shift in sporting interest.

“Swimming emphatically had the highest followership at the last National Sports Festival, which suggests that Nigerians are beginning to put swimming first among other sports,” he concluded.

This trend aligns with global patterns. According to a recent release from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), swimming recorded some of the highest numbers in viewership, ticket sales, and sponsorship during the last Olympic Games, underlining the sport’s growing global appeal.

All eyes are now on Delta State as it prepares to host what is anticipated to be a landmark event in Nigeria’s swimming history.

COMPETITION SCHEDULE AND OPENING CEREMONY

According to the Swimming Federation, teams are expected to arrive on Sunday, 13th of July 2025 with scheduled practice sessions kicking off on Monday the 14th of July 2025. Each team will be allotted a one-hour session in the pool to train and acclimatize to the venue, with slots divided between morning and afternoon.

“All the teams are going to be scheduled to come into the pool for practice session as scheduled. Some teams will be allotted to the morning, some afternoon—just about one hour per team to train in the water and acclimatize with the pool,” Taiwo Oriss noted.

The main competition is set to begin on Tuesday,15th of July 2025 with the official opening ceremony taking place at 3 p.m. the same day to coincide with the arrival of key dignitaries.

“That’s the plan for now. So we look forward to getting the full presence of Nigerians around,” the secretary general concluded.

PARTICIPATION AND TEAM REGISTRATION

Participation in the event spans across states, clubs, schools, as well as military and paramilitary institutions. According to the federation, registration is ongoing and many teams typically complete their entries at the last minute.

“Although most of our teams do last-minute registration, so far we have 13 teams and clubs fully registered,” an official confirmed.

HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND NATIONAL PRIDE

The federation remains optimistic that the event will set a new benchmark for swimming events in Nigeria. With unprecedented backing from both the Nigerian Navy and the Delta State Government, as well as growing interest from fans nationwide, organizers are confident this year’s edition will leave a lasting legacy.

“We have no doubt that this is one among the rest. We are confident it will stand out,” the official said. “We urge Nigerians to come out in full to witness history, cheer on our swimmers, and show their unwavering support for the sport