Olaseni Adekeye,
SENI ADEKEYE – A star shinning on all turfs Stars are born, but, like gold, go through processes to shine. The case is not different for 13-year-old a Year 9 student of Grange school. Seni started swimming for pleasure at the age of 3, and at 8, began goi
How did you enter the competition; was it through your school or personally?
I knew about the competition through Ikoyi Club Swimming team. I am a member of the Ikoyi Club Swimming Squad
Were there preliminaries before you got to the stage of representing Nigeria?
Yes, there was.
How many stages did you scale through and how many other contestants did you have to beat to get to the finals?
There was an open invitation for time trials to select the fastest three swimmers for the four strokes (freestyle, Butterfly, Back and Breast stroke) for various distances. It was a fierce competition as participants came from all states of Nigeria and 12 from Ikoyi club team
How many countries competed in the finals?
Nine countries were slated for the competition, however only five countries participated: Ghana, Guinea, Benin, Senegal and Nigeria.
How do you feel about your performance?
I participated in three races and to the glory of God I got one gold medal in 4x50m Freestyle Relay and two bronze medals for 50m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle. I am thankful.
Was there any prize money or scholarship?
No.
What next? Are you going to compete on the world stage?
I am working towards that.
What were your fears when you entered the competition and how did you overcome them?
Well, first of all, during the preliminaries, I was definitely taken out of my comfort zone as I competed with a lot of other children who were equally well trained, that was a bit scary thankfully I made it through. During the finals, the Ghanian team was a team to watch out for as I had met them earlier in the year (June 2017) in a swimming competition in Arnsberg, Germany (where I won two gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals). I did not compete against them in Germany because we did not fit into the same age category as the rules there were different but they put up a very good appearance and performed brilliantly. Before my races, I meditated, prayed, gave myself a pep talk, swung into action and did my best and to the glory of God came out successful.
How long have you been swimming?
I started swimming pretty early, at age three but was not consistent. When I was about 8 years old, my swimming became more consistent. At the time, a swimming team was being put together in my school and I was one of the pioneer members of the team. It was at this point that I started competitive swimming. In 2014 when I was in Year 6, I represented my school in swimming, athletics and soccer in the COBIS competition which took place in Athens, Greece. I have taken part in several AISEN, Ikoyi Club and other swimming competitions.
Why swimming? Why not any other sport?
I enjoy swimming because I find it relaxing and particularly because of the reward for individual efforts. Not many sports allow for individual medals. It is a sport which keeps me very fit.
Other than swimming, I am involved in other sports like soccer, basket ball and volley ball.
I must say that I have quite an active life I love music and drama and I am a very active member of my school’s drama team. Being on stage gives me an opportunity to express my creative side. I play the piano both for leisure and for certification. I am presently preparing for my grade 4 ABRSM (The Associated Board of the Royal schools of Music, London) practical exams.
Talking about my creative side, last year, I completed an “Artist in Residence” programme with the renowned Prof. Bruce Onabrapeya
Wow! That’s a handful. Do you intend to train to become a professional athlete?
Yes, I do.
What course would you like to study and why?
I am fascinated by lawyers and would like to study law. I like the intelligence applied to it and the arguments during court cases
Who is your role model?
Right now, it’s one of my older friends Tishe Deji-Roberts.
Who is Tishe Deji – Roberts, and how old is he?
Tishe is my friend, though slightly older, he’s 15. He is in my school and also a member of the Ikoyi Club squad.
Just 15? And you consider him a role model. Why?
He is an all-rounder, good in sports, academics, well behaved, very social and fashionable and always sets very good examples.
Do you think Nigerian schools are doing enough to expose young people to sports?
I cannot speak for other schools but my school is certainly doing very well in this regard.
What about the government?
The government can do a lot more by providing facilities for training for young athletes and an enabling environment to compete and bring out the best in them.
What are your hobbies?
Sporting activities such as swimming, soccer, basket ball, music and dancing.
Favorite game?
Chess.
Favorite food?
I am not particular about food but I like eggs.
How do you like your eggs?
Sunny side up.
Favorite colour?
Black, white and red.
Favorite sport personality?
Michael Phelps and Anthony Martial
Favorite holiday destination?
Dubai.
What advice do you have for fellow teens on sports involvement?
I think it’s important to be involved in sports at the least for being fit. Believe in yourself, remain disciplined and focused, work hard and push yourself and when there are obstacles, do not give up or like my pastor says, “don’t sleep during the storm.”
If you can change anything about Nigeria, what will it be?
Corruption and the poor attitude of the average Nigerian.