29 Oct 2023

Propellers Swimming Academy swimmer, Junior Keitsile is looking forward to competing in more national competitions ahead of the Africa Aquatics Junior Championship to be held in Mauritius from December 6-9.

Keitsile was a marvel to watch in the 200m butterfly category for 16-year-olds at the Botswana Swimming Sports Association (BSSA) long distance gala held at the University of Botswana on Saturday.

His zeal and grit saw him finish first in 2:22.99 beating DMMS Gators swimmer, Yusurf Garmroudi, who came second in 3:35.67. 

The competition saw some swimmers go into the pool only to be categorised in age groups after finishing the contest hence there was no third place in the 16-year-olds category.

In an interview, Keitsile said he went into the competition to enjoy the waters and ensure that he executed his plan well and for him it was mission accomplished.

“I went in with a smile and came out with a smile. 

The plan was to enjoy the race and make sure that I execute my plan properly and I did. 

So I am looking forward for our national competitions and the Africa Aquatics Junior Championship in Mauritius,” he said.

In the girls’ category, Kyra Harry ruled the waters in the 100m freestyle easily ending the race in position one in 1:03.55 while Kudzai Munyuki finished second in 1:12.97 and Nikotela Popovic in the third spot recording 1:18.27.

In the 14-year-olds category, Melodi Saleshando made sure to finish first in 1:04.23 while Realeboga Molelowatladi and Kuda Thomba followed in second and third positions in clocked 1:13.77 and 1:21.04 respectively.

In a post-event interview, BSSA president Kgaotsang Matthews said she was happy that the competition went well, having attracted scores of swimmers despite that they were hosting the long distance gala for the first time.

“The long distance gala has without doubt demonstrated that the association can develop athletes to swim long distances, something that would in turn help them to do well in short sprints,” Matthews said.

She added that the competition was attended by about 150 athletes, a number she said could have been more given that there were also young swimmers who did not compete in the long distance.

On other issues, Matthews said the association would host a coaching course in November in order to empower their administrators and as part of their plan to improve and grow the sport in Botswana. Ends