Dolphin League kicks off Season 8 with 23 schools

The eighth season of the Dolphin Swimming League started on a bright note at Grange School, Ikeja, Lagos, over the weekend. Hundreds of young swimmers showed up, along with many parents and guardians who came to cheer for the athletes.

This league is Nigeria's top inter-school swimming competition. It is organized by Dynaspro Sports Promotion with help from Advanta Interactive Limited. The league is approved by the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, the Nigeria Olympic Committee, the Nigeria School Sport Federation, and the Lagos State Swimming Association.

What began in 2018 with just five schools has now turned into a strong grassroots competition with 23 schools and swimming clubs this year. For the first time, participants from Abuja joined the competition, showing how the league is growing across the country. The Africa Aquatics Federation has praised the league for helping develop junior swimming in Nigeria.

At the opening event, Babatunde Fatai-Williams, Vice President of the Africa Aquatics Federation, spoke about the league's positive effect on youth swimming. He mentioned that the league gives young swimmers many chances to train and compete, which helps them improve.

"I have been a strong supporter of the Dolphin Swimming League since its start in 2018. It has had a huge impact on junior swimming in Lagos State and Nigeria overall," he said.

Fatai-Williams pointed out that the success of Lagos swimmers in national junior championships and the National Youth Games shows the benefits of regular grassroots competitions. He stressed that holding events often is important for helping young athletes sharpen their skills.

Coordinator of the Dolphin Swimming League, Oluseyi Oyebode, asked for more support from stakeholders to boost grassroots swimming programs in the country. He appreciated the support from the Nigerian Olympic Committee, the Lagos State Government, and the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, but said more collaboration is needed to keep the league growing.

"Working at the grassroots level has always been tough. Having the right support and structures is key for long-term success," Oyebode said.

He also expressed worry about talented Nigerian swimmers leaving for countries like the United States and the United Kingdom in search of better opportunities. He insisted that stronger support systems at home would help keep and nurture emerging talent.

Oyebode shared plans to extend the competition to other regions, especially the South-West and Abuja, before the season ends. He described swimming as a key life skill, teaching discipline, perseverance, and self-confidence. He urged governments and private organizations to invest in more public swimming facilities.

Young swimmer, Jotham Abdullahi from Corona School, said the league has helped him focus on improving his times instead of just going for medals. After competing in the league for three years, he said the competition has helped him make friends, gain confidence, and understand the importance of hard work.

Parents at the event praised the organizers for creating a safe and motivating environment. They noted that the league promotes healthy lifestyles and encourages children to challenge themselves and aim for excellence.

With more kids participating, a wider reach, and growing recognition, the Dolphin Swimming League is proving to be an important platform for developing the next generation of swimming talent in Nigeria.