Team Eswatini aims for Birmingham glory ... Hoy youngest in team
SIMUNYE – They are eager to make the country proud. That is the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games-bound Team Eswatini. The team was introduced to the nation yesterday at Simunye Plaza during a road show dubbed ‘Know Your Athlete’ as they are currently in camp, ahead of the games in the United Kingdom, from July 28-August 8, 2022. The team comprises four sporting codes, being swimming, athletics, cycling and boxing. The team is set to leave the country on July 26.
They are currently in camp at Mhlume Country Club as of Thursday. The camp is attended by the athletes, coaches and officials.
COMPETING
Olympic Games 2022 semifinalist sprinter Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa, will be competing in the Commonwealth Games for the fourth time.
He said he was looking forward to at least reach the semifinals or break national records. Matsenjwa made the country proud when he broke two national records in the 2020 Olympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It will be tough competition but I am optimistic to do well. My preparations have been spot on,” he said.
Matsenjwa will leave tomorrow for the United States of America (USA) where he will be competing in the World Athletics Championships before heading to Birmingham where he is set to compete in the 200m. Cyclists Kwanele Jele who will be debuting in the games, said he was ready for the challenge and he was hoping to do well.
“We are hoping for a good performance in the games and we have been working hard at training. Now we are building the team spirit and getting to know each other,” he said.
SIMUNYE – Swimmer Hayley Hoy is the youngest in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games squad.
She is only 14 years old and she will be debuting in the Commonwealth Games. She recently competed in the FINA World Championships in Budapest.
Hoy had to get consent from her parents to compete in the games. She is one of the upcoming swimming stars, as she recently broke a number of national records.
She will be competing in the 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly and the 50m freestyle.
HAPPY
Hoy said she was happy to be part of the team and she was looking at breaking more records.
“The preparations have been good and I hope to do well during the competition. It won’t be easy but we have been working hard at training,” she said.
The eldest in the team of 12 athletes is Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa who is 34 years old.
(More reports tomorrow)