Swahili Talent Swimming contest eyes expansion countrywide

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Swahili Talent Swimming Competition, Tanzania’s fastgrowing youth aquatic showcase, is poised to dive into new waters literally. After two successful seasons in Dar es Salaam, the event is set to expand its footprint, with Arusha and Zanzibar emerging as strong contenders to host the next season.

Event organiser, Nelson Lema, confirmed that he has received formal expressions of interest from both regions, describing it as a pivotal move toward decentralising the sport and nurturing talent beyond the commercial capital.

“For the past two seasons, we have successfully held the competition in Dar es Salaam and witnessed tremendous growth, especially in youth participation. Now, with increasing enthusiasm from other regions, we are seriously considering Arusha or Zanzibar for the next edition,” said Lema.

At the heart of the Swahili Talent Swimming initiative is a powerful mission, to promote swimming across Tanzania and to discover hidden talent in underrepresented communities.

“By moving the competition beyond Dar, we aim to foster inclusivity and give young athletes from different regions the chance to develop their skills, gain visibility and compete in a structured, recognised sporting environment,” Lema explained.

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The planned expansion reflects the programme’s commitment to equitable access and its long-term vision of building a robust national swimming culture.

This season alone, the competition attracted over 200 participants from schools, swimming academies and local clubs—an encouraging sign that swimming is on the rise in Tanzania.

“That level of engagement is a clear indication that the sport is gaining momentum. There’s a growing hunger for competitive platforms among young swimmers,” said Lema.

The increase in participation has also brought national recognition. One of the programme’s landmark achievements is gaining official membership in the Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA).

“This affiliation adds credibility to the programme and opens new doors for our participants—especially in terms of recognition and qualification for national-level events,” he said.

Looking ahead, Lema stressed that the ultimate goal is to prepare Tanzanian swimmers for both national and international arenas. With growing institutional support and a passionate base of young athletes, the Swahili Talent Swimming programme is building more than just a competition—it’s cultivating a future generation of champions.

“Our long-term goal is to see Tanzanian swimmers excel on national and global platforms. The support we’ve received so far shows we’re on the right track,” Lema concluded.