UB dominates tertiary swimming gala
The University of Botswana (UB) student swimmers dominated the first Botswana Tertiary Student Sports Association (BOTESSA) swimming 2023 championship over the weekend, winning six gold, seven silver, and six bronze medals, for a total of 19 medals and 499 points. As a result, they were crowned champions of the BOTESSA swimming championships.
The Botswana Accountancy College (Gaborone) was a pleasantly surprised, with only two swimmers accumulating six gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals, giving them a total of 186 points and placing them in second position while Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) placed third with 70 points. Jwaneng Technical College finished fourth with 55 points, while Ba Isago University and Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) were placed fifth and sixth, respectively, with 32 and 15 points.
Overall, the competition was well-organized, with the swimmers showing great skill and determination, even though it was the first BOTESSA swimming competition. A medal ceremony was held to honor the individual winners and recognize their achievements.
The BOTESSA swimming coordinator, Israel Keitumele, stated that the inaugural swimming gala for tertiary institutions was a major success, bringing together athletes from various colleges and universities and fostering a spirit of cooperation and healthy competition. The event also provided a platform for the display of swimming talent in the tertiary education sector.
“The exceptional performance of non-club swimmers in a competitive setting is a positive sign for the development and variety of swimming in tertiary institutions.
Recognizing and supporting their achievements, while also providing them with the resources and support necessary for continued development, will further improve the caliber and diversity of future swimming galas,” Keitumele said.
While the gala was a success, the coordinator recognized that there is room for improvement in terms of preparation, which would not only increase participation but also improve the organization of the event. They aim to build on this success by making the gala an annual event and working to continuously improve all aspects of the competition.
“As the Technical Director, I play a vital role in shaping the future of the swimming gala. We view the increased competitiveness as an opportunity for growth, and we are committed to making the event a highlight in the calendar of tertiary institutions. Our hope and goal is to make the gala even more successful, inclusive, and inspiring in the coming years,” he mentioned.
He expressed the hope that the BOTESSA swimming gala would continue to inspire young swimmers, raise the profile of the sport, and promote healthy competition among tertiary institutions. He commended all the swimmers from various institutions for making the effort to attend, stating that it was a perfect opportunity for them to kick-start their swimming careers.
“The University of Botswana Swimming Club performed well in specific events, leading the gala. In the future, we hope to see increased participation and competition as this was only the first event of its kind. Despite attracting 32 swimmers from both genders, we hope to attract even more in the future,” Keitumele said.