By Ijeoma Okigbo
The Anekwe brothers, Uzor, 14, and Eze, 11, have expressed their ambition to represent Nigeria at the Olympic Games in the future.
The young swimmers disclosed this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the just-concluded Swim for Future Swimming Championships in Abuja.
The brothers won seven medals each at the championship to record a combined haul of 14 medals.
Eze won three gold, three silver and one bronze medals, while Uzor secured one gold, four silver and two bronze medals.
Eze won gold in the 50-metre freestyle, 50-metre butterfly and 100-metre freestyle events.
He also won silver in the 200-metre Individual Medley (IM), breaststroke and backstroke events, as well as bronze in the relay.
“My plan for the future is to reach the Olympics, and next time I want to get all the gold. I want to get every medal,” Eze said.
Uzor won gold in the 200-metre Individual Medley, while he secured silver in the 50-metre freestyle, 50-metre butterfly, 100-metre freestyle and backstroke events.
He also won bronze in the breaststroke and relay.
“I wish that they will be doing this event in the future, and I wish that my swimming will take me to the Olympics,” Uzor said.
NAN reports that the championship was organised to provide opportunities for young swimmers to participate in the sport and develop their potential through sports.
Lekan Fatodu, President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF), said the event was a continuation of the legacy and vision of the late President of the federation, Chamberlain Dunkwu.
Fatodu said the federation was committed to providing young swimmers with opportunities to develop their skills and realise their potential.
“By giving opportunities to these young people, we are not only helping them in sports, but also supporting their academic development and social interaction.
“Participation in swimming also helps young people develop a sense of responsibility and find their place in society,” he said.
He added that the federation would continue to promote initiatives aimed at making such programmes permanent features of the aquatics sporting calendar.(NAN)
Edited by Emmanuel Afonne