About 200 children from various schools in Lagos State will compete for laurels in 50 events as the second edition of the Captain Sam Phil-Ebosie Swimming Competition takes centre stage at Ikoyi Club 1938.
The competition is organized for primary and secondary school students in various Schools and clubs and is scheduled to hold today at the swimming section of Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos.
Rev. Patrick Egbele, a member of the competition’s organising committee, said: “The Captain Sam Phil-Ebosie swimming competition for schools is designed to contribute to the development of competitive swimming in Nigeria, targeting children between the ages of seven to seventeen years old.”
According to him, trophies will be awarded to the best performing teams, based on total number of points scored. The best overall male and female individual swimmers in the primary and secondary School categories will also receive prizes.
Captain Sam Phil-Ebosie who died 10 years ago was an accomplished swimmer and, in the 60s, represented his alma mater, Kings College, Lagos in competitive swimming.
He sponsored competitive swimming, tennis and squash at the club levels, and several athletes in Tennis and Squash enjoyed his sponsorship to both local and international sporting meets.
Phil-Ebosie was the major coordinator/promoter of the Dr. E.I.P Ebosie Swimming Competition in honour of his late father. The competition was held annually for six years (2005-2010).
The second edition of the Late Captain Sam Phil-Ebosie Swimming Competition for Schools has been organized by friends and family of the late civil aviator to commemorate his passing.
Lindsay Nkiru Afolabi, daughter of Phil-Ebosie and a member of the organising committee, said: “My siblings and I are delighted that friends of our late father are honouring his legacy by promoting his passion for swimming through this competition.”
Chairman of the swimming section of Ikoyi Club, Akinbuleju Onabolu, told newsmen that all arrangements have been concluded for the event.
“Our technical team is set to host the young swimmers and all participants will enjoy the event on Saturday,” Onabolu said.