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Speaking in an interview yesterday the MASB boss said he was happy with the ground gained during the first half although there is still room for improvement.
“I am quite happy with our achievements so far and I think we did well as a region. Yes there are a number of grey areas here and there but we are trying our best with little resources,” said Cyprianos.
The MASB chairman praised all the teams in the region and said their hard work is beginning to bear fruits as the results are there for everyone to see.
Cyprianos cited the Mutare National Sprint Gala held in October as a good example when Bulawayo came second during the annual national event.
“Actually we did extremely well in Mutare and our team came second behind Harare. The boys performed beyond expectations in that event and I was very pleased,” said Cyprianos.
On the Matabeleland Swimming Championships which were held from late November to early December, Cyprianos said the event was a success and the level of competition great.
“Our championships were a huge success as the swimmers exhibited exceptional talent by clocking good times. In other words I can say we are slowly getting to that level where our swimmers will become a force to reckon with,” said Cyprianos.
He singled out Quinton Tayali of Penguins as a star in the making and with proper guidance is destined for greatness. Tayali competes in the boys 10 years and under.
This month the country participated in the Zone Six Games in Zambia of which Matabeleland contributed two swimmers. Andresious Cyprianos and Avalon Bruce both of Bulawayo were a part of Team Zimbabwe during the games in the copper producing country.
Cyprianos said he was pleased with the swimmers’ performance in Zambia as they represented their country with pride. His son Andresious came back with a bronze medal in the 100m butterfly after clocking 26.66 seconds in a field of 35 swimmers.
Zimbabwe’s swimming team came third behind regional powerhouse South Africa and emerging power Namibia. The swimming boss also said plans are underway to spread the sport to the western areas where there is a lot of untapped talent.
“We want the sport to be spread to as many people as possible and right now we are trying to revive Mzilikazi and Mpopoma swimming pools.
“First we need to establish swimming clubs in those areas so that there is some bit of organisation and a foundation to build from. We want to encourage as many people as possible to come through and start training with well established clubs,” said Cyprianos.
But again lack of finance is the association’s biggest problem especially when they look at transport and other logistics which need a lot of cash injection.
The other factor highlighted by Cyprianos was the need for a heated swimming pool especially during the winter season.
‘The idea of a heated swimming pool may come as welcome relief because our swimmers need to compete throughout the year. That is where South Africa have an edge over us because they have heated swimming pools which keep their swimmers active throughout the season,’ said the swimming boss.
Online Reporter