NAF Rolls Out Full Calendar Of Competitions & Development Programmes
NAF Outlines Ambitious Calendar
THE Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAF) has revealed its 2026 programme, featuring a mix of competitive events, technical certification courses, and international engagements. The calendar is designed to develop swimmers, coaches, and officials while promoting grassroots participation and long-term athlete growth.
President Chinonye Daphey said the schedule reflects NAF’s commitment to technical excellence and enhanced international competitiveness. “Our programme integrates competitions, certification courses, and global engagement to strengthen the capacity of athletes and technical officials,” she explained.
January to March: Coaching and Youth Competitions
Activities begin in January with a Lagos-based Coaches Training Programme. February highlights include swimming at the Second Niger Delta Games in Benin City, running from 20th–27th.
March features multiple youth competitions: the Swim to Future Championship (7th March, Abuja) for ages 8–14, the Abuja Schools Championship (25th–27th March), and the inaugural Under-16 Championship in Ilorin. The South-East Regional Championship in Awka and technical certification courses for coaches and officials in Abuja will also take place, ending the month with the Abuja Swim Gala on 28th March.
April to August: National and Continental Focus
The Swim for Life National Championship (2nd–4th April, Lagos) will showcase top young talent. Continental engagements include the Africa Aquatics Combined Championships and the African Masters Swimming Championship in Accra, Ghana, both in May, along with the Swimming Classics Invitational.
National events in May also include the Junior and Senior President’s Cup and Nigerian Universities Championships in Abuja. June will focus on athlete education, governance, and secondary school championships, while July highlights include certification courses in Kaduna, the 13th CNS National Championships in Port Harcourt, and participation at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
September to December: Year-End Competitions and Global Stage
September features the National Youth Games in Asaba, Under-15 Age Group Championship in Kaduna, and regional swim galas. October sees South-South certification courses and Nigeria’s participation in the Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Championships in Senegal. November highlights the Girl-Child Swimming Championship in Abuja and the 4th Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.
The calendar concludes with the National Senior Championship in Port Harcourt and Nigeria’s participation in the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Beijing in December, alongside year-end galas and board meetings.
Daphey emphasized that the 2026 calendar ensures a balance between competition, training, and international exposure to build Nigeria’s swimming ecosystem.
