Dolphin Swimming League Season 8 Kicks Off on October 3

The Dolphin Swimming League is starting its eighth season on Saturday, October 3, at Grange School in Ikeja, Lagos. This year, 23 schools and clubs are set to join in the fun.

This league is Nigeria's top inter-school swimming competition. It started in 2018 with only five schools. Now, it has become a leading platform for young swimming talents.

The 23 schools taking part include Grange School, Lagos Preparatory Secondary School, Damswimm Club, Temple School, St. Saviour’s School, Makosail Swimming Academy, Foreshore School Ikoyi, AQUA Sports World Academy, The Learning Place, Greensprings School Lagos, Lagoon School, Whitesands School, Boken Aquatics Club, Children International School, C-Tribe Club, Greenwood School Ikoyi, Swimfinity Club Abuja, James Hope College, Meadow Hall, Corona Schools, Atlantic Hall, British International School, Riverbank School, and Rugby School Nigeria.

Dynaspro Promotions Limited is organizing the league with help from Advanta Interactive Limited. The Nigeria Aquatic Federation, Nigeria Olympic Committee, and Lagos State Swimming Association have all approved the league.

This season will see a team from Abuja joining for the first time. This shows that the competition is growing beyond Lagos.

To make things fair, the organizers have split the elementary and secondary school categories. The first weekend will focus on elementary swimmers who will compete in over 30 events.

Before the season starts, the organizers held a training clinic at Rowe Park in Yaba. Coaches, officials, and other stakeholders learned about the latest World Aquatics rules.

The clinic also included new ways to improve officiating. They plan to use cameras to watch races and timing devices to reduce mistakes.

League coordinator, Oluseyi Oyebode, said they are focused on improving the league and reaching more areas beyond Lagos. Abuja and some South-West states are being looked at for future expansion.

He mentioned that last year’s long-course event, done with the Lagos State Sports Commission, helped lay the groundwork for this growth.

The league has also been a great place for young swimmers to grow. Many former participants have gone on to represent Nigeria in regional and continental competitions.