28 Sep 2022

Botswana swimmers have won big at the Namibia National Short Course Championship held in Swakopmund recently.

The team brought home 10 gold medals, five silver and eight bronze.

Out of these medals, Rayhan Khonat won four gold medals and one bronze, Kutlo Kesiilwe won three silver, Kyra Harry scooped two silver medals and one bronze.

Ji-enung Chang came back home with two gold medals while Yun-such Chang won one gold and a bronze.

Mmusi Matthews won one gold and one bronze, Preson Caple and Gaamamangwe Keitsile each scooped two bronze medals, while Amaru Ditlhogo and Larona Matenge got a gold medal each.

Botswana Swimming Sports Association (BSSA) spokesperson, Rosie Seleka, said swimmers’ performance was satisfactory.

She said they had sent eight swimmers who all brought home medals, adding this was a clear indication that the team was committed and determined.

“The medals mean a lot to us. It shows that there is progress on our side given that young and upcoming athletes are now proving their mettle,” she said.

Seleka said the competition was a result of the collaboration between the BSSA and the Namibia Swimming Federation after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Botswana National Sports Commission and the Namibia Sports Commission.

Seleka said the MoU meant that the two countries should collaborate in different sporting codes.

The BSSA, she said, used the competition as a developmental tour, hence sending athletes aged 16 years and below.

Furthermore, she said BSSA would continue to give the youngsters opportunity, given that they were the future of this country.

Development, Seleka said was at the top of their agenda, adding that she was happy that the team they sent to Namibia did not disappoint. Ends