21 junior swimmers off to Mauritius

Haniel Kudwoli 17yrs old trains at Jaffery academy with otters swim club. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenyan swimmers are ready to rattle their opponents when the 15th Africa Aquatics Junior Swimming Championship, begins Wednesday in Mauritius.

The international gala will end on Sunday. The 21-member team beaming with confidence left the country yesterday morning for the championship that has brought together some of the continents' top junior swimmers.

Some of the swimmers in the squad include Iqbaal Bayusuf, Ali Nahdy and James Amore.

The team departed on Monday led by Kenya Aquatics president Maureen Owiti. The technical bench is headed head coach Ahmed Mohammed of Mombasa's Blue Ocean Swimming Club, Braeburn Swimming Club coach Mary Njogu and team manager Elizabeth Matimu.

"The team is carrying hopes and aspirations of a nation eager to leave a mark in the world of aquatics," said Kenya Aquatics Vice President Stanley Kaberu.

The squad has several national record holders including Maria Bianchi and Haniel Kudwoli, who are confident of winning several continental medals.

At the same time, Kaberu said the national body has a larger vision of spreading open water swimming across the country.

"The federation plans to collaborate with coastal counties such as Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, and Lamu and use such events to promote the sport and tourism, while also nurturing local talent," said Kaberu.

He added that the federation will extend its reach to other counties near significant water bodies, including Kiambu, Nairobi, Kisumu, Busia, Machakos, Embu, Nyeri, among others.

"This initiative reflects a commitment to developing a sport that is yet to gain widespread recognition in Kenya," said Kaberu, during the open water swimming gala in Lamu.