Tanzanian swimmers clinch African Zone Three trophy

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s national men’s and women’s swimming team (Tanzanite) have been crowned the Africa Swimming Federation (CANA) Zone Three champions for the third time.

According to results released by CANA yesterday, Tanzanite garnered 3,061 points to beat other nine countries that featured in the championships held from November 17 to 20 at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana swimming pool.

Tanzania entered 63 swimmers in the championships.

It was not easy task for the Tanzanians to win the title due to strong opposition from other countries that featured in the event sponsored by Kilombero Sugar Company through its Bwana Sukari product.

Apart from Kilombero Sugar Company, other supporters were Spark Rehabilitation Centre, Dar es Salaam Yatch Club, Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club, International School of Tanganyika, Pepsi, Snow Cream, Burger 53 and F & L Fresh Juice. Other countries were Uganda, Zambia, South Africa, Burundi, Sudan, Djibouti, Rwanda and Ethiopia. Runners-up swimmers who represented a suspended federation (Kenya), who scored 2,768 points, while Uganda finished third with 2,521.50 points and Zambia were fourth with 1,878 points.

South Africa were fifth after collecting 1,385. 50 points while Burundi were placed sixth with 653 points and South Sudan were seventh after collecting 213 points.

Djibouti (87), Rwanda (67) and Ethiopia (47) were placed eighth, ninth and tenth, respectively.

Speaking yesterday, Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) organising committee chairperson Hadija Shebe commended the swimmers’ performances in the championships that saw 263 swimmers from ten counties. Shebe said they are very proud with the swimmers results and manage to win the title for the third time in history.

“We are very happy to see our swimmers outshining others and make the country proud. This is the third time in history of the competition. We managed to win in 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda before taking the crown in the following year during the edition held in Tanzania,” said Shebe.

Shebe also commended the swimmers, coaches and Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) for the making the event happen in the country and return the trophy.

“Being the host itself is the top honour. We managed to hosts other nine teams and left the country safely. TSA, sponsors, the government and stakeholders deserve compliments for the move,” she said.