HPT swimming competition offers hefty cash prizes for record breakers

Dar es Salaam. Swimmers who break the High Performance Training (HPT) Swimming Championships standard times will take home Sh500, 000, the organisers have announced.

The fifth edition of the HPT Mixed and Open Swimming Championships is scheduled for October 19 at the International School of Tanganyika (IST) Masaki swimming pool.

The much anticipated event will feature swimmers from various age categories competing to showcase and improve their abilities ahead of both local and international competitions.

Speaking with The Citizen yesterday, HPT Manager Francisca Binamungu said they have decided to increase the prize money for those who break records and set new ones, aiming to boost morale among participants. Francisca noted that in last year’s edition, swimmers who broke the HPT Standard Times (HPTST) were awarded Sh300, 000.

“Apart from motivating the swimmers, the move aims to increase competition among them and ultimately raise their performance standards,” she said. “We announced the prize money early to give swimmers ample time to prepare for the event.

This is their opportunity as we continue preparations for the highly anticipated competition,” added Francisca. According to Francisca, there will also be a special HPT gift given to all participants, as well as club coaches or managers (officials), with a ratio of 7 swimmers per 1 official. “We call on all swimmers in the country to compete in the event.

Besides Mainland Tanzania clubs and individual swimmers, we also expect participants from Zanzibar to join the competition,” said Francisca. She added that the primary goal of the competition is to assess swimmers’ Personal Best times (PBs) to help them prepare for upcoming events like the CANA Zone Three Championships.

“The event is crucial for swimmers as they test and improve their times before entering major tournaments. It will serve as a benchmark for swimmers’ progress, allowing them to assess their training and skills,” Francisca said. Swimmers who want to compete must meet the qualifying entry times for their respective age categories.

The qualifying time standards will determine which swimmers, whether from clubs or individual participants, are eligible to compete in the event that has been sponsored by IST, Pepsi, JD events and City Ambulance.

“We have set specific entry times for each category, and swimmers must meet these standards to participate,” explained Francisca.

While the focus is on individual performances, the event will feature various swimming styles, including butterfly, individual medley, backstroke, freestyle, and breaststroke. However, relay events will not be part of this year’s competition. “We are also actively seeking sponsors to support the championship and ensure its success.

The competition is a key milestone for swimmers, as they aim to qualify for international events and showcase their talent. The open nature of the event means all swimmers, regardless of experience level, have the opportunity to make a name for themselves on the regional stage,” said Francisca.