Cana swimming preps on course: Organisers

AS the country gears to host the Cana Zone IV Swimming and Waterpolo Championships next month, the local organising committee says preparations are on track with a mock event set for February 3 and 4 at Bulawayo City Pool.

The championships will run from February 16 to 19 in Bulawayo with Zone IV countries taking part.

So far 11 countries from the zone — Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia and hosts Zimbabwe — have confirmed their participation.

Kenya and Tanzania from Zone III have also been invited to grace the meet.

Media and protocol liaison officer on local organising committee, Mary Mankola, said they are in the final stages of their preparations.

“Final checks are being made and all is in order. A complete mock-up event of both swimming and waterpolo is being hosted at the City Pool on the 3rd and 4th of February and we are expecting leaders from the various stakeholders to attend and give us final directions.

“We, as the Local Organising Committee comprising members from both Harare and Bulawayo, are in a good place regarding our athletes and facilities.

"We have other stakeholders like the City of Bulawayo and Government through the Sports and Recreation Commission who have walked this journey with us and we are very confident that the championships will go well and run smoothly,” said Mankola.

Zimbabwe are expecting to host more than 300 participants and Mankola said they are ready for the championships.

“We are ready for our visitors and our ports have been informed again with thanks to the SRC.

“Accommodation has been secured, so has transport to ferry our swimmers between the venue and their accommodation. Our principals at Cana Zone IV secretariat are very happy with our progress.

“We are expecting approximately 370 competitors in total. Some countries are still finalising their teams,” said Mankola.

Zimbabwe will be banking their hopes on the likes of Australia-based Robyn Lee, Brendon Cyprianos, Devyn Leask and Shamiso Gambe, who were all part of the team that represented the country at the African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth Games last December.

This is the second time Zimbabwe are hosting the Cana Zone IV Championships having hosted in 2007.

And, for the first time, swimming and waterpolo will run at the same time.

Currently, Zimbabwe and South Africa are the only countries who compete in waterpolo as it is still at a developmental stage.

Participating countries are expected to start arriving between February 14 and 15.