The Namibia Swimming Federation (NASFED) says it is all systems go for the team that will represent the country in the 2021 Seventh Continental Swimming Championships Scheduled for Accra, Ghana from 11 to 17 October.
Responding to questions sent to him by Nampa on Wednesday, NASFED public relations officer Nicky McNamara said the athletes will leave Namibia on Friday for the championships.
Namibia will be sending seven swimmers, namely Ronan Wantenaar, Reza Westerduin, Trisha Mutumbulua, Maja Brinkmann, Jose Canjulo, Mikah Burger and Nicole Redecker.
“Our swimmers have put in the hard work. They are ready. However, competition is stiff. We obviously expect them to go there and represent themselves, NASFED and Namibia to their fullest potential and as always we cross our fingers for a couple of medals,” McNamara said.
He added that they had received support from the Namibia National Olympic Committee and Namibia Sports Commission.
“Their assistance with administration and in ensuring the athletes receive their colours in time is extremely reassuring. We have also been extremely fortunate to have the Pupkewitz Foundation on board as a sponsor. These trips are incredibly expensive. We are grateful for their contribution to our swimmers,” he added.
He added that the current sporting euphoria engulfing the country will help inspire the Namibian swimmers and hoped that they would replicate what other Namibian athletes have done lately.
“As a swimming fraternity, we have been incredibly proud of Philip Seidler, who competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in the 10km Open water swim, where he finished in 16th position. This swim squad is still relatively young, but we are working on some long-term goals and getting them out there. Competing on a global scale is paramount to their success,” he continued.
Six swimmers competed in the 2019 Junior African Championships in Tunisia and most of them recorded their personal best times over the championships.
Canjulo managed to win two gold medals in the 50 meter (m) backstroke and 400m freestyle, two silver medals in the 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley and four bronze medals in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly.
All these medals were achieved in Namibian record times.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
