Seals League to improve swimmers

Seals Club secretary Racheal Kituuka believes the Seals League will continue shaping Uganda's swimmers after the first league meet at Kampala Parents School pool attracted 400 swimmers on Saturday.

 

The challenge is to ensure consistency for the different swimmers from the 11 clubs that participated, in the four meets spread over the year.

 

"We have registered a 25% increase in the first meet compared to last year which shows that the sport is growing. The swimmers' times and technique have improved and we have to ensure we maintain these standards and ensure the swimmers continue to improve going forward,"  Kituka said.

 

In the pool, the league meet kicked off in high gear with swimmers putting up energetic displays as they sought to amass early points in the one-day competition held at Kampala Parents School swimming pool on Saturday.

 

Swimmers from the Dolphins Swim Club dominated the different age categories in the first meet with Adnan Kabuye taking an early lead on the standings with 27 points in the 15 years and over category.

 Silverfin's Samora Lumonya in action during the first Seals League meet at Kampala Parents School pool

 Kampala Aquatic's Eloi Maniraguha is in second place, ten points away on 17 while other Dolphins swimmers; Tendo Mukalazi, Darren Ssamula, and Ben Kaganda collected 14 and 13 points respectively.

 

In the 13-14 years category, it is another Dolphin Paulsen Ssettumba who is seven points ahead of Seals Club's Francesco Kagugube while Tendo Kaumi is on 15 points.

 

It's a close affair in the 11-12 years where Dolphins' Shane Birungi has a three and five-point advantage over teammate Pendo Kaumi and Seals' John Kafumbe while it is total domination in the 9-10 category by the Dolphins where their swimmers; Jordan Ssamula, Ethan Ssengooba, Daniel Nuwagaba, Peterson, Inhyensiko and David Sine are on 28, 21, 17, 14 and 12 points respectively.

 

Sailfish's Riecky Jeremy leads the 8 and under category with 7 points, two ahead of Seals' David Mubiru while Ssango Kiggundu is on four.

 

It is a Seals affair in the girls' 15 and over category where Ssinzi Nabatanzi, Zara Nsubuga, Anthea Mudanye, and Kirsten Atuhaire are ahead with 22, 19, 17 and 15 points respectively on the log.

 

 Seals'and Dolphins swimmers cheer on their teammates during the first Seals League meet at Kampala Parents School pool

Interesting duels are on the cards between Dolphins Kirabo Namutebi who leads the 13-14yrs category with 28 points and Seals' Alexis Kituuka and Yalonda Daya Mpeera who closely follow on 20 and 17 points respectively.

 

The three swimmers had the audience on their feet during the mixed medley relays where the Seals marginally edged the Dolphins in the three races.

 

Seals' Neema Kangi also in good standing in the 11-12yrs category on 33 points, eight and 13 ahead of Silverfin's Karla Mugisha and Dolphins Michelle Sine just like in the 9-10yrs where Natalie Lutalo and Amelia Mudanye are on 29 and 27 points with Kampala Aquatic's Rahmah Nakasule on 17.

 

Dolphins Paloma Kirabo, Theresa Kikambi, and Crystal Ssemanda lead the 8 and under on seven, five and four points respectively.