Slow start for swimmers as Seals League meet season four starts

Swimmers showed they were not yet fully fit for the season as season-four's first Seals League meet opened this year's swimming activities at Kampala Parents School swimming pool.

Despite winning the day's opening 100m breast stroke race by over 5 seconds against Dolphins' Michelle Sine (1:40.25) and Karimah Katemba (1:40.75), White Heather who topped this category in last year's, last meet won the race in a slower time (54 seconds), of 1:35.14. But she now leads the standings in the 9-10 years category with 43 points.

Seals' Anthea Mudanye was also a little slower in the 100m breast stroke returning a time of 1:28.09, 3 seconds slower than when she beat Avice Meya last year over the same distance just like Dolphins' Tendo Mukalazi (1:15.47) who was 1.18 micro second slower than his last time in the fourth meet last year.

But his sister Kirabo Namutebi who has upgraded to the 13-14 year's category posted better time over the same distance clocking 1:24.87 to lead Seals' Zara Nsubuga  and Alexi Kituuka on the standings by 7 and 6 points respectively.

 Dolphins' Kirabo Namutebi dives in for a race during the first Seals League Meet at Kampala Parents School pool. PHOTO: Michael Nsubuga

Olympia Swim Club's Mary Nassuuna and Seals' Angel Amahoro are second and third with 26 and 22 points respectively behind Mudanye.

In the 11-12 years category Dolphins' Swagia Mubiru picked 40 points to take the lead ahead of Seals' Neema Kangi (27pts) and Ssanyu  Nambeguya Kagugube (21pts) while her sister Simmona Mulungi leads the 8 and under ahead of Raya Angemi and Elaine Ssali.

Going into the second meet in April, Dolphins Adnan Kabuye and Mukalazi will have to double their efforts to displace their older opponent, Kampala Aquatic's Eloi Maniraguha, 23, who are one and eight points behind respectively.

It promises to be a tight contest in the 13-14 years category where Dolphins Darren Ssamula and Ben Kaganda are neck to neck on 37 points each with White Reuben 17 points off the pace.

Tendo Kaumi, John Kafumbe and Christian Musenze are the front runners in the 11-12 while Pendo Kaumi, Duan, Chengze and Jordan Ssamula are the top contenders in the 9-10 years category.

In the 8 and under, Dolphins' David Sine, Sailfish's Arthur Mwase and Rieck Jeremy picked 7, 5 and 4 points in the first of four league meets.