CANA Championships receive cash boost

By James Bakama

CANA Zone Three and Four Championship (April 24-27) 

MIDLAND Group of Companies has offered Uganda Swimming Federation sh7m towards organization of the Africa Zone Three and Four Swimming Confederation Championships.

“This is in line with our Corporate Social Responsibility principle of giving back to the public. Our prayer is that you win medals,” said Pearl Diaries Director Shyam Kotecha before USF president Donald Rukare received the cheque.

USF will use the money in preparations for the international meet that has drawn entries from Angola, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Namibia and Zambia. The competition will be at Kampala Parents School.

“We are very thankful to Midland Group of Companies. You have always been one of our biggest partners,” said Rukare at the brief function at Rainbow International School.

Midland is a business conglomerate with interests in telecom, education, agriculture, real estate and financial sectors. Rainbow International School and Pearl Diaries are some of Midland’s subsidiaries.

Rainbow Director Drashna Kotecha promised more support. “Midland Group has a long stading relationship with sports in Uganda, having sponsored golf, polo and swimming in the past.”

USF secretary Moses Mwase said they have a sh300m budget. He commended Davis and Shirtliff, Century Bottling Company, GOTv, Sudhir Ruparelia, Gems Cambridge International School for supporting the championship.

USF Competition Secretary Max Kanyerezi said countries begin arriving on February 22. “We are working around the clock to not only ensure that Team Uganda is in shape, but also that everything is in place by the time the visiting teams arrive. Uganda finished fifth at the last edition of the competition in Malawi.

The CANA Zone 3 and 4 comprises of 24 countries, twelve of which had confirmed taking part in the annual championship by Saturday.