TANZANIA : SWIMMERS from various clubs in Tanzania have lauded the High Performance Training (HPT) program, which continues to enhance their swimming performance.
HPT, a stakeholder in the sport, recently organized a competition that brought together swimmers from clubs operating in Tanzania Mainland and the Isles and that came after a six-week training camp aimed at refining their skills.
The fourth season of the competition took place at the International School of Tanganyika (IST) in Masaki, Dar es Salaam over the weekend.
Commenting on the event, Tanzanian international swimmer, Collins Saliboko said this is their time to participate in multiple competitions as they are now engaged in preparations for the Olympics Games of Paris, France next year.
“Right now, our swimming season has begun, and I’m geared to perform well in the upcoming competitions. We have around nine months left until the 2024 Paris Olympics, and I aim to be the first Tanzanian to achieve the best time in swimming,” he said.
Swimmer Lina Goyayi also noted the programme has helped them to improve their best times and build their capacity to become proficient swimmers, setting the stage for future participation in major competitions.
Furthermore, the Secretary-General of the Tanzania Swimming Association, Inviolata Itatiro, expressed her delight in the existence of these competitions and the HPT training camp. The event gathers numerous swimmers, and it has taken place for the fourth time, yielding positive results for Tanzanian swimmers on the international stage.
“This program involves six weeks of training in which they practice both in the morning and evening, followed by these competitions. We have seen significant progress, with swimmers improving their timings,” said Itatiro.
TSA’s goal is to ensure that athletes practice extensively and participate regularly in competitions to foster a strong contingent of swimmers for international competition.
HPT coach Michael Livingstone emphasized the substantial changes that the swimmers have undergone since starting their training. Six swimmers managed to break records in these competitions.
In the results of the event, the record-breaking swimmers for women in the 400m freestyle are Crissa Dillip and Zainab Moosaje, while for men, it’s Max Missokia in the 200m and 50m.
In the Backstroke 50M, the record breakers are Saliboko, Crissa, and Julius Mussokia in the 100M.