Six-year-old swimmer tipped for glory

December 19, 2012 by ’TANA AIYEJINA 

| credits: blogs.voanews.com

Young Nigerian swimmer, Onwuchekwa Oyinwonuola, is already generating rave reviews after she emerged the best at a recent swimming competition organised by Armani Auto Works Limited.

CEO Armani Auto Works Limited, sponsors of the competition, Emmanuel Okeke, said the company would foot the bill of the six-year-old swimmer to the United Kingdom to compete in the 2013 Manchester swimming competition.

Oyinwonuola, who attends the University of Lagos Women Society Private School, was chosen because she emerged the best swimmer in her category.

The sponsor said he hoped to encourage kids at the grass-roots level to ensure that Nigeria became a dominant force at subsequent Olympic Games following the dismal performance of the country’s contingent at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

He said, “It is unfortunate that swimming has not improved. And, I think the best way is to catch the swimmers young. These children might be helpful in the nearest future. The joy is to see someone you sponsor excelling. It is better to develop them when they are at their infancy. This project is going to be a continuous one.”

Oyinwonuola said, “I am very happy because I have trained so hard. I won’t feel intimidated and I am going to be focused.”

More than 11 schools participated in this year’s edition of the one-day swimming competition held at the Lagos Country Club Ikeja, on Saturday.