adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
IT will be a busy weekend for swimmers as the Mashonaland swimming season takes off this evening with the senior competitors taking part in the first seeded gala at Les Brown Pool in Harare.
Today’s competition will see participants from the age of 10 and above competing in various events and will be followed by the junior league on Sunday at the same venue.
Mashonaland Board vice chairperson, Celso Chiang, said the two events will act as a platform to assess the swimmers and see if there are any new upcoming competitors in the juniors after the winter break.
“Since it’s our first Gala after winter we won’t expect much from them. It’s just a matter of seeing where they are standing. After the tours we just want to see whether their times are still the same or they have improved. We should expect people to start peaking in Mutare at the National gala.
“We are going to get the majority of the kids because everyone wants to see where they are. Tomorrow (today) it’s the seniors’ gala from 10 years and above. Some of them will compete in all events (on offer). Sunday it’s the junior league. We just want to try and see if there are young upcoming athletes that have joined the talent that we have. It starts from anything from seven years to 12,” said Chiang.
Chiang noted that a number of swimmers have left with some going to universities and colleges outside the country.
Chiang said they expect all the clubs to take part, namely Sharks, Otters, Spartans, Highlands, Pirates and Dorado. The swimmers will have another opportunity to assess themselves early next month by competing in a number of events including the National Sprint Gala to be held in Mutare on October 19.
According to a provisional calendar, released by the board, the competitions are expected to continue with various events until December.
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