By Dianabasi Effiong

Two of Nigeria’s rising stars in swimming,
Clinton Opute of Delta and Collins Ebingha from Bayelsa, have been awarded international training scholarships by the World Aquatics, the global governing body for swimming.

The body said that the scholarships were part of World Aquatics’ elite development programme.

It also stated that the awards were designed to provide them with access to world-class training facilities in Europe prepare them for major international competitions, including the Olympic Games.

According to the programme details, Collins Ebingha’s scholarship will run from Sept. 1, 2025, to Aug. 31, 2026, while Clinton Opute’s training grant will extend from Sept. 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028, in France and Hungary, respectively.

This milestone underscores the steady progress Nigeria has recorded in swimming development, following a series of remarkable achievements in recent years. It also reflects the strategic sports development agenda of the National Sports Commission (NSC), championed under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade, with the Nigeria Swimming Federation playing a pivotal role in advancing opportunities for homegrown talents.

Significantly, the World Aquatics scholarships are reserved for athletes above 18 years who demonstrate exceptional promise and strong prospects of Olympic qualification. Opute and Ebingha’s selection is therefore viewed as a recognition of their outstanding potential and Nigeria’s rising profile on the international swimming stage.

It will be recalled that the duo, alongside Abduljabar Adama of Ogun State, emerged as standout performers at the 2024 National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where their performances confirmed Nigeria’s growing pool of elite swimming talents.

Their latest recognition by World Aquatics not only strengthens Nigeria’s Olympic preparations but also validates the country’s renewed commitment to nurturing world-class athletes across sporting disciplines.