28 Nov 2024

Botswana Swimming Sports Association (BSSA) will send a 19 swimmers strong team to the XX Africa Aquatic Zone IV Swimming and Open Water Championships to be held in Windhoek, Namibia from December 4-8. 

BSSA spokesperson, Gwendolyn Harry, in an interview said they are confident that the team will represent the country with pride.

“We have fielded a very strong team, and we have high hopes that they will come with Personal Best times,” she said.

She said from December 4-7, 18 athletes will compete in swimming and the following day Benco van Royeen, will compete in the open water. Furthermore, she said the team has senior swimmers who have competed at senior regional level, adding that they will be looking forward to seeing some medals coming home. 

“We have the likes of Melodi Saleshando, Kyra Harry, Khalil Sethi, Takunda Gondo, Kimberley Ingwe, and Junior Keitsile who we are looking to boost the team’s performance,” she said. 

The swimmers, she added, have been under a development programme since last year, which they would be in for the next three years.

“They have been under rigorous training and support made available by our sponsor, DTC Botswana,” he said.

Harry said they were happy that their main sponsor, DTC Botswana had made it possible for the team to travel to Namibia.

The boys’ team is made up of Reabetswe Pabalinga, Keitsile, Tobbias Donnell, Gondo, Sethi, Larona Matenge, Leruo Bakwena, Tema Modirelabangwe, van Royeen, and Wapego Nthomiwa.

In the girls’ category, Botswana will be represented by Kyra Harry, Saleshando, Jade Chilisa, Maeva Morebodi, Matipa Gondo, Jessica Seipone, Muela Mutie, Kim Ingwe, and Sally Ingwe. 

The technical team comprises of coach Solomon Mpusetsang, assistant coach Moffat Mpho,  Kabo Molefe as medic and team manager is Ontiretse Dikgole. Ends