LOCAL SWIMMERS HIT TARGET OF 14 MEDALS
The Botswana Swimming Sports Association (BSSA) youthful team has managed to scoop 14 medals at the just ended CANA Zone IV Championships in Lusaka, Zambia.
Team BW left for the CANA Zone IV Championships last week Tuesday with a target of winning 14 medals and the team has managed to hit a bull’s eye with their medal target, getting 14 medals altogether.
The team had targetted for three gold medals, five silver medals and six bronze medals but managed to collect 4 gold medals, 7 silver medals and 3 bronze medals. Gaamangwe Jr Keitsile won 1 gold , 1 silver and 1 bronze. Nathan Seetso won a silver and a bronze. Kimberley Ingwe managed a gold, 2 silver and a bronze. Jieun Chang scooped gold and bronze while Melodi Saleshando won silver. The Boys in the Medley Relay (Nathan Seetso, Khalil Sethi, Gaamangwe Jr Keitsile and Ntsika Mothibatsela) won gold.
Speaking in an interview, the association spokesperson, Rosie Seleka said the championship was for development and their focus was on youngsters. “The team was relatively young, and some of them were competing regionally for the first time, though they did compete in the CANA virtual Championships last year.”
In addition, she said their next stop is the AUSC Region 5 games. “We are hopeful that the majority of the team will make it to the AUSC Region 5 Games to be held in Malawi, having used the CANA Championships to get exposure and to prepare for future competitions,” she stressed.
Over 281 swimmers from 14 countries graced the event and the competition was stiff for local swimmers. Participants were from the Southern Africa region and East Africa.
The local team, under the tutelage of Allison Le Grange, who is assisted by Katlego Solomon, looks forward to improve from the Championship and spread their wings in other international tournament.
Botswana successfully hosted the Championship in 2020 scooping third position among 10 countries, the likes of Kyra Harry and Lefa Kgang won two bronze medals as part of the 1314 girls’ relay team and the Botswana team that came third overall.