Proprietor of the defunct Iwuanyanwu National FC of Owerri, Chief (Dr) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and the African queen of the track, Chief Mary Onyali have in different reactions showered praises on the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for the initiative of accepting the National Swimming Centre of Excellence in Port Harcourt.
According to Chief Iwuanyanwu who incidentally is the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Sports Development Fund Inc (NSDFI), “that is a decision that takes that state into the future if only you can see what I am seeing. That is one project that will give many people, children especially from poor homes, those who live around the three swimming pools already have a career.”
“Honestly, that is one governor whose conducts I have variously admired and appreciated. For this one he has done for the children and youths of Rivers State, I will have to visit the state myself especially when the first generation of the athletes will be training. Governor Wike, may God bless you and make your heart desires thrive. This is like a personal gift to me,” said the proprietor of Champion Newspaper.
“When I read of the development, the kind of celebration I had most likely was more than any one I had when I win medals for the country. I jumped for joy until I lost my voice. I was overjoyed. Governor Wike has given me my best gift in 2018,” said the first Nigerian to do five Olympics in a straight row.
Onyali is the Executive Director (Technical) for the Basic Olive Opportunity Sports Training(BOOST) which is housing the National Swimming Centre of Excellence. “I am so tripped with the timing. With this, I can tell you that our medal prospects for the 2024 Olympics will come from here. Governor Wike’s name will be boldly written in the lives of the children who will be in this project.”
President of the Aquatics Federation, Mr Fatayi Babatunde-Williams said on telephone, “we as a federation are so appreciative of Governor Nyesom Wike for this wonderful initiative. This may be the biggest support that Swimming will be having. I am so happy for the children of the state.”
