A young swimmer from Dowen College, Jochebed Amos-Penda, has won four medals at the third edition of the NNPC-SNEPCo Interschool Swimming Competition held at Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos.
Amos-Penda secured one gold, one silver and two bronze medals while competing in the girls’ 11–12 age category.
She won gold in the 50-metre butterfly event and silver in the 100-metre individual medley. She also claimed bronze medals in the 50-metre breaststroke and 50-metre freestyle events.
The competition attracted 17 schools and more than 280 swimmers from different parts of Nigeria.
In a statement following the event, Dowen College congratulated Amos-Penda on her performance and expressed confidence in the potential of its other representatives, Dennis Imelekedi and Donald Olise.
Olise, who competed in the boys’ 15–16 age category, finished first in his heats in both the 50-metre freestyle and breaststroke events. Imelekedi participated in the boys’ 13–14 age category, competing in the 50-metre freestyle.
Representatives of NNPC-SNEPCo and members of Ikoyi Club 1938 were present at the competition.
NNPC-SNEPCo Communication Manager, Gladys Afam-Anadu, who represented the company’s Managing Director, commended the turnout and expressed hope that the competition would continue to promote swimming and nurture young talents across the country.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Vice Chairman of the club’s Swimming Section, Babatunde Pearse, described the competition as an important platform for developing young swimmers.
“These are the swimmers of tomorrow, and they have done very well. We are delighted with the turnout and look forward to welcoming even more schools and swimmers next year,” Pearse said.
He added that sustained sponsorship would help expand the competition and provide more opportunities for young athletes.
The Chairman of the Swimming Section, Akinbulejo Onabolu, also commended the standard of competition and the performances recorded by the participating swimmers.
He said the club remained committed to developing swimming talent and creating more opportunities for young athletes to compete.
The competition is part of ongoing efforts by stakeholders to encourage swimming among Nigerian students and strengthen grassroots sports development.
