Five Tanzanian swimmers to miss African Junior event due to exams

Dar es Salaam. Five Tanzanian swimmers will not be able to represent the country in the upcoming African Junior Swimming Championships, scheduled to take place from April 30 to May 3 in Cairo, Egypt, due to unavoidable circumstances.

The swimmers are Filbertha Demello and Amylia Chali in the women’s category, while Mark Tibazarwa, Enrico Baretto, and Sahal Haarunani will also miss the event in the men’s category.

According to the Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) technical director Amina Mfaume, the five swimmers will not travel to Egypt as they will be sitting for examinations at their respective schools.

“We have received official communication from their parents, explaining that they will not be available for the competition due to academic commitments,” Amina said.

She added that the five were part of the 14-member squad initially announced by TSA to represent Tanzania at the African event.

“We had initially selected 14 swimmers for the championships; however, participation depends on confirmation from the swimmers and their availability. Unfortunately, five have withdrawn due to their studies and exams," she explained.

"At this point, we have no alternative but to proceed without them. The final list of swimmers traveling to Egypt will be officially announced after the deadline, which is set for today,” said Amina.

With the absence of the five, Tanzania’s hopes at the African Junior Swimming Championships will now rest on the remaining nine swimmers. In the men’s category, the team will have Romeo Mwaipasi, Aryan Bhatt, Austin Okore, and Christian Fernandes. In the women’s category, the representatives will be Lina Goyayi, Bridget Heep, Natalia Ladha, Aliyana Kachra, and Aminaz Kachra.

Preparations in full swing

Despite the reduction in squad size, Tanzania’s young swimmers remain focused on their training.

All the selected swimmers are currently undergoing intensive training with their respective clubs to ensure they are in peak condition ahead of the competition.

The African Junior Swimming Championships is a prestigious event that brings together some of the continent’s most promising young swimmers. With their consistent performances in various national and regional competitions, Tanzania’s representatives are expected to showcase their skills and make a strong impression.

The training sessions are focusing on refining swimming techniques, improving endurance, and enhancing performance in different swimming styles, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

Experienced coaches to guide the team

The national team is scheduled to depart for Egypt on April 28 and will return on May 4 after the competition concludes. TSA official has assured that experienced coaches are closely monitoring the team’s progress, ensuring that the swimmers perform at their highest level when they compete on the continental stage.

Amina also revealed that the names of the coaches accompanying the team will be announced at a later date.

Tanzania’s growing presence in international swimming

Speaking on the significance of the competition, Amina stressed the importance of international exposure for young Tanzanian swimmers.

“The African Junior Swimming Championships provide a valuable opportunity for our young athletes to compete at a high level, gain exposure, and experience international competition standards. This is a crucial step in their growth and development as swimmers,” she said.

Over the past few years, Tanzania has been making steady progress in swimming, with young athletes gaining recognition at both regional and international levels.