Swimming gala held at Main Bath

Blessing Rwizi
A NUMBER of leading local swimmers last week thronged Mutare Main Bath for this year’s edition of the National Sprint Gala held last week. The National Sprint Gala is an annual swimming tournament which attracts more than 250 swimmers from around Zimbabwe and this year’s edition was led by Anneke Chan Jack and Anne White of Mutare Swimming Board.

The competition catered for swimmers between the ages of 12 and 17 years, while the events featured Backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle. Bolder Dolphin team comprising of 23 swimmers was the hosting team, competing against other clubs from around Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

However, three Border Dolphins swimmers, Kayley Jones, Kelcy Ndoro and Siobhan Jones achieved the Level One qualifying times and are going on a tour next year in March. Kayle Jones and Alistair White won gold medals in 100 meters backstroke and 50 meters freestyle respectively.

Jones also won a silver medal in 50 meters backstroke. Others who won silver medals were Kameroon and Keegan Jones in 50 meters backstroke and freestyle competitions. Other four member of the Border Dolphins team who walked away with bronze medals were Kelcy Ndoro, Siobhan Jones, Alistair White and Nathaniel Chan Jack.

In an interview with Mutare Swimming Board leader, Anneke Chan Jack, said the number of this year’s participants was a bit low compared to the previous years, but the event went quite well. “Unlike any other years, we had a little number of participators this year, but things went quite well. We had lots of fun and managed to identify talents within the young boys and girls who participated,” said Jack.

Jack thanked Quest, Halsteds, Ebbtide Enterprises, Soclicat, Dairibord, Colcom, Hivu Nurseries and Tanganda Tea for the contributions they made towards the 2015 edition of the National Sprint Gala.

“On behalf of the team, I would like to thank Quest, Halsteds, Ebbtide Enterprises, Soclicat, Dairibord, Colcom, Hivu Nurseries and Tanganda Tea for renovating the swimming pool, providing foodstuffs and decorating our venue,” he said. He said he was also looking forward together with other leaders to train the team harder in preparation of upcoming competitions.