NAqF Appoints Pastor Jesemiel as Referee Africa Open Water Swimming Tournament

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

The Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) has appointed Pastor Nseobong Jesemiel as Chief Referee for the upcoming Africa Open Water Swimming Tournament in Conakry, Guinea, scheduled for November.

Invited by the Fédération Aquatique de Guinée (FAG), Pastor Jesemiel, a senior technical official in Nigeria’s aquatics community will provide high-level technical support for the continental event.

His deployment is expected from November 24 to December 2, 2025, during which he will oversee the championship’s execution, ensuring compliance with safety protocols and officiating standards.

The Guinean federation described Pastor Jesemiel as an asset capable of strengthening the competition’s technical organisation, safety framework, and officiating standards, in line with the African Swimming Confederation (CANA) requirements.

Reacting to the invitation, NAqF President Dukwu Chamberlain expressed pride in Nigeria’s growing influence in African aquatics:

“We are pleased to receive this invitation from our colleagues in Guinea and proud of Pastor Jesemiel’s nomination as Chief Referee. His selection reflects Nigeria’s technical expertise and our commitment to advancing aquatics in Africa. The Nigeria Aquatics Federation fully supports this engagement and wishes him a productive and impactful assignment,” he said.

The Conakry tournament is expected to attract elite swimmers, technical officials, and continental stakeholders, highlighting efforts to elevate open water swimming across Africa.