Dead year for swimming as USF launch challenge

Even if the lockdown on sport was to be lifted today, swimmers would need at least three months to get in shape for competition, according to Uganda Swimming Federation's (USF) Eric Kisero.

Kisero, the Director Uganda Water Polo was addressing the press at USF offices on Tuesday at which the federation unveiled a challenge dubbed ‘Swimming without Water' Challenge aimed at discovering, exploring, and fostering the Ugandan Swimming spirit.

He said it will not be technically wise to hold any serious swimming competitions this year.

"Our technical team has already decided that competitive swimming can only return after three months, after the lockdown if we are to have the swimmers at the required level, so we don't expect any competitions this year," Kisero noted.

"But we have continued running events that didn't require people converging in one place like engaging our members through online meetings, teams, and coaches on what they need to do with the different swimmers during this period," Kisero stated.

In the same breath, USF has unveiled a ‘Swimming without Water' challenge as part of the 2020 FINA World Aquatics Day Celebrations, an annual event aimed at encouraging masses around the globe to participate in physical activity in water; whether in pools, rivers, or lakes.

The challenge open to USF registered clubs or schools, and or recreational swimmers, sportsmen, fun people will take place over a period of four weeks to give participants ample time to develop comprehensive presentations, culminating in a final presentation and awards.

Each team is required to submit an original one-minute video on the theme of the celebrations, ‘Swimming without water' in English, Kiswahili, Luganda, or any local dialect.

Presentations can be made in MP4 format for videos not bigger than 100MB, and submitted to the official USF email; ugandaswimmingfed@gmail.com or on a WhatsApp number to be provided. Heavy files may be submitted using Google drive.

USF president Moses Mwase flanked by his vice Peter Mugisha said the objectives of this year's celebrations are to devise creative ways swimmers can keep fit and active, and provide technical and psychological support to swimmers and coaches.

They are also intended in fostering a sense of togetherness in the swimming community and educate swimmers on the broader benefits of sport beyond competition, and to share these learnings and increase awareness on the values of swimming through public engagement.

"FINA always provides limited funding for this event and this year's one will start with a launch video on September 5; confirmation of participation on September 6 and 7, ahead of the submission of presentation deadline on September 26; and the presentation day and awards on October 3," Mwase announced.

He said there will be exciting prizes for the top 3 presentations and a special award for the best guest participant. Participants will be supported with internet access to submit their entries in the form of an online interactive fun Challenge between USF Member Schools/Clubs.

"Participants will submit a one-minute video on one or more of the following themes; Compassion, Discipline, Determination, Fun, and Teamwork," Mwase stated.

The entries will be judged according to creativity, originality, and uniqueness in the presentation of ideas. Exceptionally motivating and inspiring messages in the presentation, practical, applicable, and relevant to the current restrictions of sports in the country as well as educative videos will be considered among other criteria.

Transcending swimming in a way that is relevant to the everyday life of a swimmer and the broader society as well as entries encompassing physical, psychological, and emotional well- being of swimmers will also attract marks for the participants from the 20 teams expected.