John Ndlovu and Clive Thabo Dube
THE BULAWAYO Amateurs Swimming Association (BASA) hosted the 2023 Zimbabwe Senior National Swimming Championships at the City Pool with a total of 275 participants competing in the event.
The curtain came down on the five day event on. Saturday and the Zimbabwe Swimming chairperson said the event lived up to its hype.
“Swimming in Zimbabwe is growing and this was the best tournament so far and the turnout was incredible. Before we would have like one hundred swimmers but this time we had two hundred and seventh five. It shows the growth of the sport. All provinces where competitive.” She said.
The provinces that participated include Harare Province, Bulawayo Amateur Swimming Association (BASA), Mashonaland Country Districts (MCD), Matabeleland South, Midlands, Manicaland and Matabeleland North.
At a fully packed City Pool, the Minister of Youth, Sport, Art and Recreational Kirsty Coventry graced the closing event and said she was amazed by the huge turn out she witnessed. The Minister also praised the infrastructural development and maintenance of the City Pool.
“It’s quite exciting seeing a lot of support from parents, it’s always good supporting the locals, the infrastructure has really improved, hosting such events is also good for the development of the sport and infrastructure…It’s also good to see numbers of swimmers growing…And development is super important and schools are putting up their money in upgrading sport facilities for swimming. I commend the level of commitment in the sport in terms of gathering around resources and athletes into the sport the sporting bodies are really trying their best to ensure development of the sport.” She said.
The tournament was affected by big rains as Day one proceedings of the championships were put to a halt.
Zim GBC News managed to hear out the views of parents, coaches and competitors who were really happy to be part of the tournament as they commended the National Swimming body for hosting a successful event.
Lindsy Tudor Cole who is a Spartans Swimming Club coach based in Harare was over the moon for Harare’s performance in the championships as they also managed to meet qualifying times and had given their opponents run for their money.
“We have had the greatest number of swimmers and we have had some fantastic results. Amazing personal times from athletes. A lot of swimmers have come up to beat qualifying times to make the team for the South Africa tour. It has been very positive and successful from our province.”Coach Cole said.
Siqokoqela Mphoko, the father to junior swimmers Siqokoqela II and Senamile Mphoko heaped praise on swimming in Bulawayo and Zimbabwe as a whole whom he stated that they have really done well in ensuring the growth of the sport as he also described it as family sport which unites families.
“Swimming in Bulawayo and Zimbabwe is really growing as leadership in the Bulawayo Amateur Swimming Association and the national swimming motherboard is doing all they can to take the sport to greater heights. There is also great support from the Ministry of Sports and Sports Recreation who have worked tirelessly in ensuring success of the game. It’s also just beautiful to see even if you look at the turnout and the support.We as parents also need to do our best to contribute to the development of the sport, it nurtures a child it’s a family sport.”Mphoko said.
Mphoko was also happy for the performance of his children (Siqokoqela II and Senamile Mphoko) who performed well in the competitions claiming medals from their age-groups as Mphoko ‘son made headlines by becoming the overall best swimmer in the 12 and Under Boys category after amassing multiple medals. His big sister (Senamile) had a decent performance in the competition.
Another parent, Kwanele Sibanda, the mother to Sifiso Sibanda an U15 swimmer from BASA, commended the strides made by the tournament organizers who created a comfortable atmosphere for swimmers and spectators.
“There is a lot of competition in the waters which shows the high quality of the sports in the country as swimmers are equipped with rules and tactics at grassroots level. My son has been doing quite well by following the targets. There is also good sportsmanship as the kids are supporting each other in the competition.”Sibanda said.
Chinese International Song Gou who moved to Zimbabwe from China in 1999 hailed the Zimbabwe swimming fratenity for its rapid growth and talent.
According to Gou the swimmers are doing well, both in the male and female categories.
“I’m excited to be here in Bulawayo watching the swimming gala and l see a lot of good swimmers in Zimbabwe. One day, these swimmers will be in the Olympics flying high the Zimbabwean flag and l believe they will excel.” Said Gou.
Douglas Njowola who competes at the 15-16year category expressed his excitement for improving his feat at the championships after claiming three medals in the 2023 championships.
He also told Zim GBC News that he dreams of representing Zimbabwe at the African Regional Championships, Junior World Champions and the Olympics.
“I am very glad for the accolades I have achieved in this tournament as I have managed to grab three medals, two bronze and one silver medal. I am very happy to have managed to grab a bronze medal in this backstroke as I have been really working harder on it. It is a blessing to be here as I managed to come out with medals as the last time I came here I didn’t win anything so winning multiple medals is a greatest achievement.” Njowola said.
Below is the list of swimmers who qualified for team Zimbabwe.
SA TOUR JUNIOUR TEAM
Olivial Acorsi
Chandiwana Tafadzwa
Nathan Chibva
Tori Dawe
Jayden De Swardt
Sibusiso Fayayo
Kyle Guta
Tawanda Jani
Alexis Johnsen
Limbikani kalipengule
Mikayla Makwabarara
Charlotte Martell
Bjorn Mhlanga
Matilda Musere
Kwandokuhle Nkomazana
Joshah Siwela
Taya Smyth
Anje Van As
SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM
Liam Davis
Donata Katai
Joash McKonie
Benjamin Rorke
Cory Werret
15 AFRICA AQUATICS JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
MALE(15/18YEARD)
Tichatonga Makaya
Tawanda Chisungo
Paul Mipikeni
Bjorn Mhlanga
Jayden De Swart
Liam Rumball
Onesmus Ngwenya
Khaya Vimbai
Kalipeng Limbikani
Nigel Madziyire
Tawanda Jani
Mitchell Stanely
Emmanuel Sibanda
FEMALES
Mikayla Makwabara
Tanastwa Chandiwana
Charlotte Martel
Matilda Muswere
Anje Van As
Olivia Accorsi
Tori Dawe
Taya Smythe
Onovo Onye
Susie Worsfold
Rachael Njowola
Vhenekai Dhemba