29 Apr 2024

A team of 12 swimmers is in Luanda, Angola where they will compete in the XVI Africa Aquatics Championships.

The championships will run from April 30 until May 5. 

The ladies team is made up of Tselane Matthews, Yan-Shuh Chang, Amaru Ditlhogo, Kyra Harry, Kimberly Ingwe and Melodi Saleshando while the men’s team has Takundanashe Gondo, who is also the team captain, Benco Van Rooyen, Khalil Sethi, Mmusi Matthews, Khumo Newman and Ryhan Khonat.

The team will be accompanied by Bianca Chanakira as team manager and Owen Caple as team coach.

Addressing the team on Saturday, Botswana Swimming Sports Association vice secretary Kelebogile Molefe has advised them to guard against doping.

Molefe cautioned them to be careful of what they consume.

Also, she encouraged the swimmers to work as a team and do well as they had been sent to championships to raise the country’s flag high.

 “While in Luanda, listen to the manager and your coach. I am sure they have your interest and that of the country at heart and they will take care of you,” she said. 

 “Our expectations are a little bit high because we have variety of skills here. 

Go there and do your best, you were selected because you are the best,” she added. 

Meanwhile, Africa Aquatics technical committee member, Matthew Gibson said in an interview that two events; Pool Swimming Championships and 

Open Water Swimming Championships, would take place in Luanda. 

He said 36 countries had registered to compete at one of the biggest swimming event in Africa.

He pointed out that such an event attracted a lot of experienced swimmers as most of them wanted to qualify for the Olympic Games. ENDS