The Gators Swim Club amassed 5,369 points over three days of action to top the 8th edition of the Uganda Swimming Federation National Swimming Championship at the Kampala Parents Swimming Pool on Sunday.

The championship was exciting with the likes of Sweden-based Gloria Muzito and US-based Adnan Kabuye adding to the excitement. But the lack of a national aquatic centre remains one glaring puzzle that must be quickly solved if the numbers that took part and the two venues that were used are anything to go by.

Two venues were used but some of the events for the over 6000 participants had to be skipped because of the numbers which required more time than the 30 hours that were used for the event.

Muzito gave the crowd especially the Dolphins' parents something to cheer about whenever she dived in alongside Olympian Kirabo Namutebi, who she beat in the 100 and 200m freestyle events, after clocking 56.01 and 2:14.23 respectively, and outlasting the Ugandan champion by 2.47 and 8.11 microseconds respectively.

But that did not stop the Gators who had Heer Usadadeer topping the 13-14 year category with 25 points where his teammate Ethan Ssengooba picked 10 in third behind Silverfin’s Isaiah Kuc who finished second on 20 points.

Kirabo Namutebi and Swagiah Mubiru in the 17&over picked a combined 62 points in finishing first and second respectively ahead of Silverfin’s Esther Atto who scored three.

The Gators boys were also dominant in the same category, with Raphael Sine and Steve Magera combining for 38 points, with Dolphins Tendo Kaumi managing 21.

Coach Muzafar Muwanguzi’s charges were also dominant in the women’s 13-14 where Tara Kisawuzi dominated, posting 42 points ahead of Aquatics’ Rahmah Nakasule and Dolphins’ Paloma Kirabo who got 31 and 12 points respectively.

The Gators also featured in the lower category where Marc Kaliisa was top of the 10&under with 29 points by medal count; ahead of Torpedo’s Elijah Ayesiga and Sailfish’s Jordan Musoke who managed 22 and 6 points respectively.

The Dolphins were dominant in the 15-16 category where Kaumi Pendo notched 33 points ahead of Aquatic’s Akram Lubega (15pts) and his teammate Ian Aziku who got 14.

The Jaguars and Aquatic clubs were not left out as Zara Mbanga and Peyton Suubi dominated the girls’ 11-12 category with 30 and 21 points whereas Altona’s Abigail Mwagale also collected 21 points.

Aquatic’s Karimah Katemba (40pts) was also dominant over Sailfish’s Sanford Charlotte and Deshpande Khyti who managed 32 and 6 points respectively in the girls’ 15-16 category.

Elijah Wamala and Adriel Lumu of Altona and Abdou Hakim (Gators) were the other standouts in the three-day event that was sponsored by DStv, Umeme, Aquafina Water, and ICEA Lion. The event attracted 22 clubs.

Combined team Scores

Gators Swim Club 5369pts

Dolphins Swim Club 2621

Aquatic Academy 1939

Altona Swim Club 1775

Sailfish SC 1549.50

Silverfin Academy 1055.50

Jaguar Swim Club 942.50

Black Panther SC 646

Seals Swim Club 629

Torpedoes SC 485

Ozeys Swim Club 394. 50

Gliders Swim Club 234

Greenhill Orcas Swim Club 208

Makerere University 169. 50

Otters Swim Club 159

Baseline Swim Club 118

Olympia Swim Club 118

Starlings Swim Club 44

Supra Swim Club 41

Whales Swimming Academy 32

Hertz Swim Club 20

Flash Swimming Club 15. 50