Doorman eyes better season

Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter

WITH the 2021-2022 swimming programme underway, Zimbabwe Swimming chairperson, Tracey Doorman, says they are looking forward to a better season.

The local swimming season is just starting, and the first major competition outside the country will be the 14th CANA African Senior and Junior Swimming and Open Championships.

The championships get underway on Monday in Accra, Ghana.

The swimming competition is running from October 11 to October 16, and the Open Water event is due to take place on October 17.

Denilson Cyprianos and Liam O’Hara will compete in the seniors while Tichatonga Makaya is scheduled to represent the country in juniors swimming.

Onesimus Ngwenya and Danielle Kuhuni are going to compete in the Open Water Juniors.

The team, led by coach Masi Takaedza, left for Ghana yesterday.

Nomvula Mjimba and Jayden de Swardt, who were part of the team announced earlier on, pulled out due to other commitments.

Swardt was replaced by Ngwenya.

Other major events will include the African Union Sports Council Region Five Games, to be hosted by Lesotho in December, as well as the World Short Course Championships in Abu Dhabi.

Zimbabwe will be hoping to have some of their swimmers at the FINA World Championships in May, in Japan.

They are still waiting for an update on other regional events.

Currently events are approved on a weekly basis.

“We are seriously hoping that we will have fewer disruptions to training and competition,’’ she said.

‘‘We continue to encourage swimmers and coaches to find ways for swimmers to cross train at home, but it is not ideal

“We have asked that our whole calendar be approved, pending any Covid regulation changes.

“To date, we have only received approval on a weekly basis but we have again requested approvals for longer periods, as it makes lives difficult for organisers if we only hear very late in the week, as to whether competition can take place.’’

The Zimbabwe Aquatic Union will be hoping they can stage the national championships this season.

Last season, the championships were cancelled, due to the pandemic.

Swimming had two of their athletes – Donata Katai and Peter Wetzlar – at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, after they were awarded two slots under the universality system.

“We never stop building, irrespective of whether we are in any Olympic and World Championships cycle.

“The biggest issue for athletes, who try to qualify, is attending approved meets – some happen in South Africa.

‘‘And, also just to attend other competitions, where there are a higher level of swimmers, It’s all about experience.

“This all takes funding and that sadly is a huge area where there is a void.

‘‘Our swimmers for the 2020 Olympics benefitted from the assistance from the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee and I am sure we will continue working with them looking forward to 2024,” said Doorman.