Swimming championships in full swing
More than 250 athletes in attendance
Swakopmund was a hive of swimming activity over the weekend when the Namibian Swimming Federation held the grand opening of the national short course championships.
The Namibian Swimming Federation (NSF) held the grand opening of the national short course swimming championships at The Water Cube swimming pool in Swakopmund on Saturday.Sponsored by Old Mutual, the four-day competition, which kicked off on Thursday, saw more than 250 swimmers between seven and 70 from six Namibian clubs participating alongside a team from Botswana.
This year's event was sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for para-swimmers. It included able-bodied swimmers, para-swimmers as well as master swimmers.
"Through the National Physique Committee (NPC) and IPC, we have been able to have our swimming gala sanctioned for our para-swimmers, which means that their times will also be recognised internationally and they too can represent Namibia with pride," NSF president Aileen Botha said.
"The swimming short course championships, which are held in September every year, are hosted so that coaches and swimmers can determine how they improved over a season. Swimming is not about perfection but about persistence, and each swimmer here today trained with persistence to take part in today's event. It's about obtaining your personal best.
"I would like to thank Botswana for joining us. It is with pride that we can host you. Competition makes us stronger and will help Africa to perform better at world events," Botha added.
Tough competition
Motswana swimmer Junior Gaamangwe (15) described the championship as "pretty interesting".
"I got to swim in a few races. Competition this side is very tough and interesting, but we came here to show what we have been training and working. Our team came with very few people, but what I have seen in them is that they have the power and strength as well as the belief; they are doing very well," he said.
Botha pointed out that after the short course championships, the federation will enter its long course season.
"This means all of our swimming galas move outside and the swimmers start swimming 50-metre galas. Our final swimming championship will take place at the end of February next year in Windhoek."
She further encouraged interested swimmers to join the NSF.
"Swimming is a good sport for everybody. It exercises all your muscles and it's good for babies, children and adults, therefore I would like to encourage everybody to join and become part of the federation."
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