Clive Thabo Dube
Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO is set to host the Zimbabwe Senior National Swimming Championships gala, the tournament is slated for February the sixteenth to twentieth at the City Pool.
The inaugural swimming gala is organized by the Zimbabwe Aquatic Union and Hammer and Tongues are the official sponsor of the event. The event was last held in Bulawayo in 2019 before Covid-19, the post Covid-19 event took place in Harare.
The Zimbabwe swimming Chairperson Zanele Nkomazana says the swimming community is eager to unite in Bulawayo.
“This year, Bulawayo is hosting Zimbabwe swimming so we are looking forward to uniting there and hopefully this year will be bigger and better.” She said.
A total number of three hundred swimmers is expected at the five day event where the participants will compete at various swimming stroke challenges. In the 2022 swimming championships, Harare claimed the overall title with 3 013. 50 points, Bulawayo came second with 1 658 points and third place went to Matebeleland South with 235.50 points.
The Bulawayo Amateurs Swimming Association (BASA) Chairperson Phawulani Ngwenya, says it is an exciting moment for the city’s ceremonial home of swimming to be hosting the elite swimmers from across the country. Ngwenya also believes the sporting extravaganza will be good for local businesses.
“This is an exciting moment for us as the Bulawayo community and we are expecting a huge turnout which will boost the economy in terms of tourism.” Said BASA Chairperson Phawulani Ngwenya.
“We are very excited and looking forward to having a great event after a very difficult few years in the sport.” He added.
Ngwenya said the country’s swimming main event will be a perfect opportunity for swimmers to fine tune their preparations for regional and international competitions that are lined up for the year 2023.
THE BASA SWIMMERS TEAM FOR 2023
12&U
Watipa Zvenyika
Aaliyah Afzal
Jwes Jared
Isabella Barrow
Siqokoqela Mphoko
Mbalenhle Jared
Ben Jones
Tyla vanderwesthuizen
BJ Nnam
Acacia Watson
Alex Qiao
Ocean Armstrong
Nhanisi Moyo
13&14
Nathan Chibva
Lisa Mhlanga
Joshah Siwela
Tariro Muhomba
Sibusiso Fayayo
Tatenda Muhomba
Thando Ndlovu
Morapedi Ndebele
Kwando Nkomazana
Ashley Qiao
Masimba Nyamhungo
Shumirai Zvenyika
Nomvula Dube
Mbali Sibanda
Tiffany Smith
Adrianna Bhana
Senamile Mphoko
Lola Accorsi
15&16
Kayden Bhana
Olivia Accorsi
Khaya Vimba
Onye Onovo
Onesimus Ngwenya
Nozintaba Masiye-Moyo
Sibusiso Sibanda
Imaan Afzal
Liam Chicksen
Pamela Ncube
Tawanda Jani
Tatenda Mutema
Cameron Rae
Makhosazana Nkomazana
Ethan Chivaura
Desiree Soganile
Patrick Duff
Nicholas Majoni
Nsikelelo Sibanda
Musa Ncube
Ryan Mugota
Reece Rollo
17&O
Dylan Lee
Jade Chicksen
Vuyo Ndlovu
Neziah Kinnaird
Nathan Ngwenya
Riana Rollo
Tichatonga Makaya
Zoe Gangira
Emmanuel Sibanda
Thabo Mhlanga
Jayden De Swardt
Nomaqhwa Ndlovu
Total Boys = 29
Total Girls = 31
Grand Total = 60
Team Manager: Watson Mhlanga
Team Coach: Louise Lee