By Joe Apu
The 2024 edition of the Commodore/Independence Day Boat Race draws closer, over 60 athletes expected to participate in the event have rounded up their training with a view to give a high standard performance at the waterfronts of the club situated in Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos.
One of the sailors, Chidindu Orji who finished second place with his dad Monday Orji in the GP14 at the BAO race recently stated that he looks forward to better his performance come October 5.
“I have been training and competing with my dad and participated in some races at the Lagos Yatch Club and look forward to better our performance. They’re also other athletes that have been working hard too and they too will give their best.”
On Tuesday, the athletes were seen putting finishing touches to their sailing boats, kayaks and open swimming with high hopes of giving a good account of themselves. It was also noticed that young swimmers spent hours working on endurance training as they look forward to exciting the audience on Saturday.
However, the Club Commodore of the Navy Sailing Club, Captain Festus Adewuyi has said he expects a high standard of performance from sailors and athletes come October 5 given activities he has observed.
Speaking ahead of the forthcoming race on Tuesday, Captain Adewuyi stated that he is looking forward to a high performance from the sailors and athletes given the level of training they have gone through before now. “I have been watching closely the training by the athletes and sailors alike in the past weeks and therefore look forward to a high standard of performance. Even the young swimmers have also been working hard despite their busy school schedules and will demonstrate their skills on the race day,” he stated.
He further stated that invitations have gone out to captains of industries, the marine community as well as enthusiasts of water sports. “This race is the first in the club’s calendar and it flags off activities for other events. We look forward to having an audience that appreciates water sports because it is our desire to have as many races as possible to grow the confidence and competitiveness of our athletes as we prepare them for the bigger stage.”
Vice Commodore of the Navy Sailing Club, Sampson Chima who doubles as the chairman of the Sailing Committee while assessing the preparation of the athletes said he is impressed with the commitment of the sailors in the pursuit of excellence. “I have been personally supervising the training of the sailors and must confess that they have shown determination to be at their very best. I can assure you that the audience will have a lot to cheer about on Saturday when the sailors and athletes put their practices into action.”
Expected events to be competed for includes GP14, Laser, Kayaking and open water swimming.
