Benin Republic emerges winner of West Africa Regional Rowing Regatta in Lagos

Posted : 24 November 2024

The Republic of Benin delivered a dominant performance on Saturday to emerge as the winners of the West Africa Regional Rowing Regatta held in Lekki, Lagos.

The inaugural edition of the two-nation West Africa Regional Rowing Regatta took place at Bics Boat Club, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, starting on Thursday, Nov. 21, and concluding on Saturday.

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To clinch victory, the Republic of Benin displayed exceptional skill, winning four gold, four silver, and one bronze medal.

Nigeria, on the other hand, secured one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal.

In the Single Scull Men's event, Benin Republic dominated the podium, taking the top three positions. Hounyeme Jean won gold with a time of 2:58:16, Laurent Hoyessou claimed silver with 3:09:05, and Elikana Jacques secured bronze with a time of 31:12:45.

In the Single Scull Women's event, Felicine Agossou of Benin Republic earned gold with a time of 3:37:33, while her compatriot Appoline Adjamu took silver with 3:09:05. Nigeria's Esther Toko won bronze with a time of 3:44:90.

In the Double Scull Men's category, the Benin Republic duo of Kodoko Rene and Laurent Houessou claimed gold with a time of 2:49:20. Their countrymen, Akpo Ronain and André Hounsoukperi, secured silver with 2:56:76, while Nigeria's duo of Tijani Taofeek and Elikana Jacob took bronze.

Benin Republic also swept the podium in the Mixed Double event, winning gold, silver, and bronze. In the Double Sail category, Kodoko Rene and Laurent Houessou secured gold with a time of 21:49:20. Silver went to the pair of Akpo Ronain and André Hounsoukperi, while Jacques Elikana claimed bronze with a time of 3:12:81.

The President of the Nigeria Rowing Federation (NRF), Festus Porbeni, stated that the successful hosting of the regatta would ignite greater interest in rowing in Nigeria.

"This is a positive development for the federation, and we are thrilled about it. We have long advocated for making rowing and its associated sports more popular in Nigeria," he said.

"The federation has been doing its utmost to ensure rowing gets the attention it deserves. We have a significant number of youths interested in the sport.

"We have participated in the Olympics and seen the standards there. While Africa lacks Olympic qualifiers, this competition sets the stage for greater things to come," Porbeni added.

He also explained that other countries that had planned to participate in the regatta were deterred by an ongoing dispute between the host club, Bics, and the Lagos State government.

NRF coach Amidu Jimoh called on state associations to promote rowing within their regions, while bronze medalist Esther Toko appealed to the government for more support to advance rowing in Nigeria.

Benin Republic emerges winner of West Africa Regional Rowing Regatta in Lagos

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