Uganda swimmers brace for tougher test at Zone IV championships

Ugandan swimmers are hoping to build on their Africa Aquatics Zone 3 Championship performance that saw them defend their title as they test themselves against even tougher opposition in the 20th Africa Aquatics Zone IV Swimming and Open Water Championships in Windhoek, Namibia.

A team of seven (5 boys and 2 girls) flew out Sunday night for the championship, which began on Wednesday and ends Sunday, December 8, 2024.

The team was earlier flagged off by Uganda Olympic Committee president Donald Rukare at the Elite Swim and Gym pool on Saturday, November 30.

The Ezra Kalali-coached team comprises Heer Usadadiya and Tara Kisawuzi, the captains for either gender.

The rest of the team led by USF president Moses Mwase includes Benjamin Lutaaya, Elijah Mukisa, Khyati Deshpande, Kristian Bwisho and Joshua Kaganda.

Rukare noted that Uganda's participation in this event will improve their quality and their time because the event is more competitive

“It is a good experience for them to gauge themselves against quiet competitive swimmers from other countries from a different zone,” Rukare said.

“We hope to compete well and probably make personal bests but also be able to experience the long course properly because some of the young swimmers are inexperienced and this will help them be a good gateway for them to learn because it is close to what world-class swimming looks like,” Usadadiya noted.

Deshpande said the team will be encouraged by their recent performance in Burundi to compete favourably while Kaganda said that they were an impactful team who are ready to shine for the country despite the small representation in Namibia.