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The Lagos edition of the Loya Milk Secondary School Swimming Competition season three held last weekend and it recorded a perfect completion rate, an accomplishment which officials described as a pointer to the enormous potential of Nigeria in the sport and a boost to the sponsors – Loya Milk, a premium brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, Miksi Milk, Top Tea, Onga and other quality products.
All the participants in the six-event competition, hosted by Children’s International School, Lekki, completed the events without the assistance of lifeguards.
David Oyekan, a swimmer and coach at Meadow Hall School, said the professionalism and speed exhibited by the contestants was rare among amateurs of their age. He added that they would do much better if given more attention and training.
Ten schools competed for a total of 18 medals in 25 metres freestyle for boys and girls, 50 metres freestyle for boys and girls, 100 metres relay for boys and girls.
The participating schools include American International School, British International School, Children’s International School and Chrisland Schools.
Others were Edgewood College, Emerald High School, Grange School, Greenspring School, Straightgate College and Meadow Hall School.
British International won two gold, one silver and two bronze medals; while Children’s International won two gold and two silver medals.
Edgewood, Greenspring, Grange, Chrisland, American International and Meadow Hall also featured on the medal chart.
Reviewing the three-year old competition, Marketing Manager Promasidor, Biodun Ayodeji said the company would evaluate the initiative with a view to identifying areas of improvement. He assured that the company was committed to sustaining the competition.
Ayodeji stated: “We are very consistent in our strategies. So, we are committed to the success of the initiative. We started this, two years ago with a single location. We extended to two locations last year, and this year we are doing four.
“We may maintain the number of locations next year while reviewing the prizes upwardly. We may also do two instead of one competition in some locations to give more schools the opportunity to participate. We will consider other options such as partnering relevant clubs,” he further said.
Ayodeji explained that Loya Milk is fortified with 50 percent extra calcium to help consumers achieve optimum physical wellbeing and build stronger bones, tougher teeth and healthy heart.
He added: “The interest of Loya Milk in swimming resonates with its unique brand identity. Loya Milk’s unique HiCal fortification makes it the choice milk for individuals who desire to live healthy.
The Secretary General of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Sani Mohammed had disclosed during the Abuja competition that the organisation would partner Loya Milk to identify and nurture young swimmers.
Mohammed, who lauded the brand for the initiative and called on other corporate entities to emulate the gesture, said he had selected some young athletes from the Abuja edition he would present to the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development for grooming and inclusion in the national team for future competitions.
Loya Milk Swim Meet was first organised for 10 schools in Lagos in 2016. Season 2 held in both Lagos and Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, while the just-concluded season 3 was hosted in Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos.
In addition to the secondary school swimming competition, Promasidor motivates Nigerian youths through Cowbellpedia Mathematics TV Show and Promasidor Harness Your Dream, a career guidance workshop for public secondary schools.
