Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
VIKINGS head into tomorrow’s start of the Harare Amateur Swimming Senior Championships with quiet confidence and a feeling that this year’s gala could be one of the closest in recent memory.
The two-weekend event begins at Les Brown Swimming Pool, runs until Sunday, then resumes from December 5 to 7.
Vikings finished second behind Spartans last year, and coach Michael Ranken said his swimmers have done the work and are eager to test themselves.
“The only thing that I can say is we are looking forward to the championships.
“Most swimmers have gone through a preparation for it and they have worked hard for it. And it’s just to see what awaits them because it seems as if everyone is prepared. We would like to wish everyone the best. I am hoping the weather permitting it will be a good gala,” said Ranken.
Vikings used the recent Mufakose Developmental Gala as part of their build up, giving some of their athletes a useful tune up before the provincial meet. Ranken praised the organisers for the steady growth of the sport in the capital.
“What I want to do is just to give thanks to Harare Swimming for the push, for the drive, for what they have done to bring up swimming in Harare,” he said.
Ranken expects the field to be tight. Spartans are back to defend their crown and Sharks, who finished third last year, are also in the frame. Sharks coach Kathy Lobb said their preparations have been far from ideal as they tried to balance training with academic commitments.
“We have really battled to get the right amount of training in. We did extra early morning and stuff to make up for it and hopefully that will pay off. We are still on a bit of a rebuild, so we are not expecting to win or anything,” said Lobb.
She explained that several of her swimmers were juggling tours, school camps and other commitments.
“We have got members going off on water polo tours. We have got members going off on the Angola Youth Games.
“Some of the schools put their school camps this week. They are coming in late, only able to swim on Sunday and things like that. It’s all been a bit difficult this year, but we will see how it goes. See whether we manage to cover up and compensate a bit for everything,” she said.
With many senior athletes now at university, Sharks are leaning on a new wave of juniors.
“We are trying to build up again because we have lost a lot of our senior swimmers. We have got lots of boys and we are looking for girls at this stage,” said Lobb.
For Wild Orcas, this year’s championships are about development rather than medals. The club is fielding a young squad and treating the gala as a chance to build confidence.
“I don’t have seniors, I have got juniors but they are 13 years old, only one boy is 15, who joined recently. But we have been preparing. Yesterday we had at the Les Brown training, psych them, putting them in the mood for them to be ready for the championships.
“For Wild Orcas, as a coach we don’t have any pressure. As a coach what I want is my athletes to have full development,” said coach Tim Phiri.
The official opening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday.
Mathew Masinge