National swimming team head coach Mohammed Ahmed is bullish about Kenya's hopes of winning the Africa Aquatics Junior Championship starting on Wednesday in Mauritius.
Speaking before the team's departure to the Indian Ocean Island, Ahmed said the calibre of swimmers in the squad can go toe-to-toe with the top swimming nations on the continent and be competitive.
"The crop of swimmers we have selected are among the best we have in the country. Some of the m have had good preparations and we can't wait for the competition to start on Wednesday,” added Ahmed.
Those in the squad include Haniel Kudwoli fresh from breaking the 25m breaststroke national record in Dubai a fortnight ago, Aker Mutinda and Sara Mose who graced the Commonwealth Youth games in Trinidad and Tobago in August alongside Mombasa-based Maria Bianchi, Nathan Matimu and Riyadh Abubaker.
“Mutinda and Mose were in the Commonwealth Youth Games while Bianchi has been in good form during the recent Coast swimming events. So it's a formidable squad and we want to go all out and win and top the medal table.”
Ahmed thanked the Ministry of Sports and the World Aquatics for finally ending the impasse in swimming which has seen Kenya suspended from international events for the past couple of years.
“The suspension had taken a toll on our swimmers with some even giving up but we never gave up hope. I commend the government for stepping in and finding a solution with all other stakeholders, added Ahmed.
The team held its final training session at Sabis International School in Runda on Sunday.
The squad has 24 swimmers with Elizabeth Chelagat as team manager, Mohammed Ahmed as (head coach) and Mary Njogu (assistant head coach )
Elsewhere, eight schools have confirmed participation in the East African Chipukizi Swimming Championship slated for December 11-19 in Arusha, Tanzania
Among the schools gracing the week-long event include Umoja Sharks, Pioneer School, Woodcreek School, Supermarlins, Porterhouse School, Makini Sports Academy, Juja Prep, and Dashing Dolphins.
The East African Chipkizi Swimming Championship has received official sanction from the Tanzania National Sports Council.
The event will take place alongside the East African Chipkizi Soccer Cup, Africa's largest youth soccer tournament. Teams from Dar-es-salaam, Morogoro, Tanga, Moshi, Arusha, and other regions.
