Matland out to defend title at National Swimming Champs

Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent

THE Matabeleland swimming team is hoping to repeat last year’s success at this year’s National Swimming Championships that begin on Wednesday at the City Pool in Bulawayo.

Matabeleland Amateur Swimming Board spokesperson Thomas Werret said they are ready to host the nationals that will see close to 200 swimmers converge on the city for five days.

“Last year we managed to win the overall aggregate trophy as we dominated the boys’ section while in the girls’ category we came in second although we were not far off in terms of points.

“We have remained strong in the boys’ section with strong performances from the boys in our team this year but the girls have also made great strides and we are certain we are going to make improvements this year,” he said.

Swimmers from all over the country will be competing in the Under-12, 14, 16 and Under-18 age groups with other provinces that include Mashonaland Country Districts, Mashonaland, Manicaland and Masvingo expected to fight it out for honours in the event.

Mashonaland are expected to give Matabeleland a tough run but Werret expressed confidence they are ready to put in a good fight.

“With the Zim team that will be heading for Botswana for the Cana Zone IV championships next month already having been selected we are looking forward to seeing national records tumble as swimmers prepare for the event and improve on their times,” said Werret.

Matabeleland will be looking to top performance swimmers that include Timea Schultz, who clinched gold medals in all her races in the Matabeleland championships, Rollo Riana, Onye Onovo, Sancia Bravo, Denilson Cyprianos, Tich Makaya, Tawanda Chisungo, Dylan Lee, Onesmus Ngwenya and Brett Jones.

Matabeleland squad

Under-12

Girls: Luba Malinga, Shayna Middleton, Mbali Sibanda, Savanna Smith, Shumurai Zvenyika.

Boys: Nathan Chibva, Liam Chicksen, Daniel Conolly, Patrick Duff, Nsiki Sibanda, Josh Siwela, Teak Watson

Under-14

Girls: Olivia Accorsi, Jade Chicksen, Zoe Gangira, Nozi Moyo, Pamela Ncube, Onye Onovo, Chante Querl, Desiree Soganile

Boys: Kayden Bhana, Dale Clay, Jayden De Swardt, Garrick Duff, Tawanda Jani, Tichatonga Makaya, Ruan Nel, Onesimus Ngwenya, Cameron Rae, Reece Rollo, Emmanuel Sibanda, Mitchell Stanley, Miguel Timveos, Khaya Vimba

Under-16

Girls: Ngosika Onovo, Timea Schultz.

Boys: Tawanda Chisungu, Dylan Lee, Dom McKechnie, Sean Mutazu, Tsepang Ndlovu, Nathan Ngwenya, Codie Selman, Cory Werrett

Under-18

Girls: Sancia Bravo, Aisha Mahomed, Riana Rollo, Lindi Bhebe, Stacey Babbage, Jaime Van Wyk.

Boys: Andy Cyprianos, Denilson Cyprianos, Isemonger Roan Isemonger, Brett Jones, Farhaan May, Joash McKonie, Tait Mills, Jasper Mpofu, Liam O Hara, Jake Oostindien, Quintin Tayali