Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Swimming chairperson Zanele Nkomazana has expressed satisfaction with the turnout for the EcoCash National Sprint Gala staged in Bulawayo over the weekend.
The inter-club event attracted 428 swimmers, drawn mostly from the junior age groups.
It was first national event on the swimming calendar.
The gala is used to identify new talent as the season begins and to measure the clubs’ level of preparedness for the new term.
Prior to the gala, most of the season’s build-up events were provincial competitions.
“The turnout was great with events running until evening. A total of 25 clubs and 428 swimmers from all over the country attended the gala.
“Bulawayo spectators also turned out in numbers to support.
“Swimmers recorded a lot of personal best times describing the pool as fast.
“Unfortunately, most seniors from outside Bulawayo could not attend due to exams.”
Among the promising young swimmers who graced the meet are Kaylea Rogers, Amaranthine Dunkley, Unashe Shoko and Gabriel Munengwa.
“Kaylea Rogers, Amaranthine Dunkley, Unashe Shoko, Gabriel Munengwa are some of the rising young athletes for the future.
“Two records were broken by Amaranthine Dunkley in the 50m breastroke and Kaylea Rogers in the 100m freestyle,” said Nkomazana.
Rogers set a new national record in the Girls 12-years 100m freestyle, posting a time of 1 minute 03.62 seconds. The previous record was 1 minute 03.97 seconds set by Mikayla Makwabarara in 2020.
It was the same story for Dunkley as she broke the Girls 12 years 50m breastroke national record of 37.76 seconds when touching the wall in 37.10 seconds.
The previous record was held by Hannah Mitchel.
Zimbabwe Swimming are looking at coming up with the long lists for the African Youth Games to be hosted by Angola in December and next year’s African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games scheduled for Mozambique.
The African Youth Games will also serve as a preparatory event for the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games.
Nkomazana said they are hoping to hold training camps for the YOG and AUSC Region 5 Games squads in December.
She expressed gratitude for the support, they had received from EcoCash Zimbabwe, which she said had also helped boost their numbers.
“Firstly, resources coming to the association is appreciated. Swimming parents and guardians fund the association.
“For this particular event, EcoCash assisted with ambulance, security, kit for all 200 officials, swimmers’ refreshments, IYASA entertainment, tents among other things.
“It was indeed a great relief for our hosts.”
Harare-based Spartans accumulated a combined team score of 677 to retain the title.
Vikings, also from Harare were second with a combined team score of 346.5, and Stingrays Swimming Academy from Bulawayo had 314 points to complete the top three at this year’s gala.
