2nd Niger Delta Games: Tissa, Others Spearhead Edo’s Swimming Dominance

by Idahosa Musa

Host State Team Edo, made a powerful statement on Day One of the swimming events at the ongoing Niger Delta Games, dethroning traditional aquatic powerhouses Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa to emerge the toast of the poolside.

At the Aquatic Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the Heartbeat State swimmers rallied from an early setback to cart away six of the nine gold medals on offer, much to the delight of home fans.

Precious Tissa, Lucky Ayeni and Joy Peremoboere were the standout performers for Edo, producing gold-laden displays that lifted the hosts above their more fancied rivals.

Their exploits were witnessed by the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Amadin Desmond Enabulele, and members of his management team, who cheered the swimmers to victory.

Like he did at last year’s National Youth Games in Asaba, Tissa once again proved his class, storming to gold in the men’s 50m freestyle.

Ayeni matched that feat in the women’s version of the same event, while Kolade Otunla claimed gold in the men’s 50m backstroke.

Team Edo further underlined their depth by winning the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay through Albert Akintokun, Biloha Simeon, Tissa and Otunla.

In the women’s medley relay, the quartet of Nkonye Ziitaven, Joy Peremoboere, Ifelouwa Fumilayo and Ayeni proved unstoppable.

Peremoboere also completed a memorable outing with gold in the women’s 100m breaststroke.

Earlier, Edo had endured a slow start, failing to medal in the opening three events — the men’s 200m individual medley, women’s 200m freestyle and men’s 100m breaststroke.

Delta State claimed gold in two of those races, while Ondo topped the women’s 200m freestyle.

However, the hosts responded in emphatic fashion, sweeping all the remaining six events of the day. Peremoboere ignited the comeback with victory in the women’s 100m breaststroke, ahead of Delta’s Success Ebigide and Bayelsa’s Gloria Epekele.

Tissa followed with a hard-fought win in the men’s 50m freestyle, edging Rivers State’s Idangofaka Tubotamuno, as Cross River’s Destiny Ajaka settled for bronze.

Ayeni dazzled in the women’s 50m freestyle, while Otunla added another gold in the men’s 50m breaststroke. Edo also dominated both the women’s 4x100m medley relay and the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay to cap a rousing day.

Speaking after the event, Enabulele attributed Edo’s strong showing to early and intensive preparation.

“Our swimmers have been in camp for the past 21 days. We knew our opponents are strong, but early preparation gave us the edge. As hosts, we prepared to win, and the results are already showing”, he said.