Over 500 swimmers are set to grace the national swimming gala slated for May 18-19 at the M-pesa Foundation Academy in Thika
The event will mark the first national meet in Kiambu County and the larger Mt. Kenya Region since Kenya's independence.
Among the schools and clubs expected for the meeting include Nova Pioneer, St. Christopher's School, Riara, School of the Nations, and Potterhouse School.
Others are—Moi Educational Centre, Lukenya Academy, Seahorses Aquatics, Dashing Dolphins, Crawford International School, Golden Dolphins and Umoja Sharks among others.
After the event in May, there will be a long course meeting scheduled for June 22-23 at the Kasarani Aquatics Arena. The event is expected to attract teams from Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Sudan among others.
This facility is notable as the only accredited long-course (50-metre Olympic-standard) venue in Zone 3.
Last weekend, the Kenya Aquatics Federation conducted a three-day technical swimming officiating clinic.
This clinic attracted 30 enthusiasts from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, underscoring the country's pivotal role in regional aquatic sports.
Spearheaded by Kenya Aquatics and supported by World Aquatics, the initiative seeks to elevate the officiating standards across the region.
Max Kanyerezi, a distinguished figure in the swimming community and a member of the World Aquatics Technical Swimming Committee, led the exercise.
Kanyerezi, who recently officiated at the World Aquatics Championship in Doha, Qatar, is also the Honorary Secretary of the Africa Aquatics Technical Committee.
The participants, including prominent individuals like Noel Kyunzi from Tanzania, Farkry Mansoor (head coach at Bandari Swimming Club) and Omar Omari (Crawford International School) underwent rigorous training on the latest officiating rules. The clinic concluded with an exam, requiring a pass-mark of 80 per cent to earn certification.
As a powerhouse in the Africa Aquatics Zone 3, which includes 12 countries, Kenya is taking strides to lead in the sport.
