Chiemelie Ezeobi
To boost the sport, the Nigerian Navy (NN) has partnered Triathlon Federation of Nigeria (TFN), Nigerian Aquatic Federation (NAqF) and the Lagos State government to organise the inaugural International Triathlon.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu, who recently met with the president of Triathlon Federation of Nigeria, Prince Wale Oladunjoye at Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos, described the partnership as a good move.
He said the meeting was geared towards the actualisation of a proposal by the Nigerian Navy to organise an inaugural international Triathlon in Nigeria in partnership with Nigeria Triathlon Federation and Lagos State government.
A consultant and Lagos based entrepreneur and triathlon enthusiast, (NN) Captain Shehu Noibi rtd also joined the meeting virtually.
Rear Admiral Nwatu, the chairman of the Nigerian Navy swimming, stated that triathlon is one of the best athletic contests to showcase optimum fitness and endurance which he described as some of the qualities possessed by Nigerians, especially those residing in the various coastal communities and maritime organisations, including personnel of the Nigerian Navy.
He maintained that the triathlon which is intended to hold in the first quarter of 2024, would commence with offshore open water swimming, 10km race within Eko-Atlantic city and about 15-20km bicycle race within Victoria Island while the competitors would return to Eko-Atlantic city for the 1km finishing race.
According to him, in the past 20 years, the Annual Chief of Naval staff National swimming competition offered a veritable platform for the Nigerian Navy to showcase swimming and other aquatic sports in Nigeria, while the last one held in Asaba, Delta state created a platform for improved Nigerian Navy – civil relations and reduced sea blindness in the country.
After the meeting, all parties pledged to work assiduously towards the actualising the dream of organizing a befitting triathlon race that would entail open water swimming, endurance run and cycling in the coming months to put Lagos State in the international sports calendar for the sport. Both parties are very optimistic that the triathlon sports would attract adequate sponsorship to show case the very best of Nigeria and Lagos State in particular to the whole world.
