Online Reporter
Media Mpofu, Zimpapers Sports Hub
BULAWAYO’S swimming season splashes into life on Friday night when the Bulawayo Amateur Swimming Association (Basa) hosts the first gala of the year.
The Friday Night Galas mark the start of a long season that will build up to the Junior and Senior Nationals, where the country’s top swimmers compete for provincial and national honours.
Four Bulawayo clubs; Crusaders, Penguins, School of Swimming, and Stingrays Swimming Academy, are confirmed for this year’s calendar, while Falcons, who competed last season, are yet to register for 2025/26.
Stingrays, dominant last year after sweeping most of the silverware, remain firm favourites across several events. Crusaders, one of the city’s oldest and most consistent clubs, are also expected to test the competition.
Basa secretary, Wayne De Swardt, said the 2025/26 programme would largely follow last season’s structure.
“The format for the season is exactly the same as last year with some adjustments on the qualifying times for the national galas selection,” he said.
He believes those changes will raise the standard of competition.
“I am looking forward to a more competitive swimming season as the adjustments in qualifying times will make the swimmers push to achieve their absolute best to make the provincial and national team selections,” said De Swardt.
He praised the Bulawayo community for backing the sport and encouraging young athletes to chase their goals but admitted that funding remains a concern.
“Sponsorship has been our biggest challenge over the years,” he said. “Parents have been sacrificing for their children to explore the sport.”
