Sports Girls

Studies have shown that sports have a positive impact on girls’ confidence and self esteem. SHIRLEY GENGA talks to five girls who balance sports and school work effortlessly

Brenda Nawiri, 17 years.

School: Buru Buru Girls High School.

Anita Zahra Field

How long have you been swimming?

I have been swimming since I was seven years old. At first I did it for fun but by the time I was nine I was already participating in swimming competitions.

What is your favourite swimming stroke?

I love backstroke, I find it easy and relaxing. I am also starting to like butterfly because I am getting very good at it. While in South Africa recently for the National Level Three Championship I was rated number five in butterfly. It was an open race meaning people of any age could compete.

Apart from swimming what else do you do?

I have always loved sports, I played hockey, football, netball, rounders and shot put. In athletics I have done 800m, 100m and 400m relays. I also sing and act.

What is your favourite subject?

I love geography; I find it very interesting and fascinating.

Who is your swimming role model?

Rebecca Adlington, I find that we are so similar. Also we have similar swimming techniques. I also admire Achieng Ajulu-Bushell and I am still trying to break some of her record. I also look up to Tanya Atieno Brunlehner who will be representing Kenya in this year’s Olympics.

When did you know that you wanted to be a swimmer professionally?

Last year when I went to the International Children’s Games-Swimming in Scotland. The atmosphere was so exiting and exhilarating. The competitiveness made me realise that I wanted to stick with swimming until the end. Now my dream is to make it to the Olympics in 2016. This year three Kenyans have made it Sylvia and the Dunford brothers.

Do you think that students abroad have a better advantage over those in developing countries when it comes to sports like swimming?

I have gotten the chance to go for some swimming training camps in South Africa, Italy and England and the swimmers there are way ahead. They have more technical support and everything from a technical coach, physiotherapist to a psychologist at their beck and call, plus they have a lot of government backing.

What is your training schedule?

I swim every day except Sunday. I swim for six and a half kilometres in the morning plus five kilometres in the evening. On Tuesday and Thursday morning I go to the gym. Also I watch what I eat. I try to avoid junk food, I eat a lot of carbohydrates for energy and white meat. I avoid red meat before competitions.

How do you balance schoolwork and swimming?

It is not easy, it is hard work but I guess you have to work hard for anything that is worth having. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed but once I get inside the water I forget everything and I feel at peace. I will be representing Kenya on 25-29 at CANA (French Confederation Natation du Afrique, in Maputo, so I will miss one week of school but I will catch up.

Advice to aspiring swimmers?

Be disciplined and work very hard because while pain is temporary, pride is forever.

Osiche Catherine Awino, 15 years.

School: Olympic High School.

Sport: Football

Osiche Catherine Awino

Position: Team captain and defensive midfielder.

When did you start playing football?

I started playing football in Standard Five. My family and I used to live in Mathare and I would see Dorine Nabwira, who is now a coach at Mathare Youth Sports Association, playing football with boys and she was just as good. So I also started played football hoping to one day to be as good as her.

Your football team is one of the best in Nairobi, how does that make you feel?

It is a nice feeling. Last year in second term we won the football provincials. Even here in Kibera everyone knows that we are one of the best in football (laughs).

What has been your biggest achievement?

Being part of Harambee Under-17 girls’ team. In February this year we got to play Nigeria. That was memorable for me because the Nigerian girls’ team is one of the best teams in Africa.

What do you love about playing football?

It has given me the opportunity to meet so many different people and to travel the world. I have been to Norway, Tanzania, Uganda and Nigeria because of football.

Is it hard balancing schoolwork and football?

I have found a way to balance both. When I am in class I give my all to class and in the evening from 4.30pm to 7 pm I give my all to football.

What is your favourite subject?

I love Kiswahili and English. I have a thing for languages.

What is you dream career?

I want to be a professional footballer and a businesswoman.

Any other hidden talents?

I am a good cook.

Paige Mbugua, 17 years.

School: Loreto Convent Valley Road.

Sport: Tennis (ranked 10 under 18 last year.

Class: Form Four.

When did you begin playing tennis?

When I was six, I joined because my best friend was joining. I later discovered I not only enjoyed it but that I was very good at it.

Who is you tennis role model?

I love the way Novak Djokovic plays. He has passion for tennis and the way he plays is very enjoyable.

How do you balance schoolwork and tennis?

You just have to be smart about time management. I love both my schoolwork and tennis so I had to find a way to make it work. I carry my books around during tournaments, so when I am not playing I get a chance to squeeze in a read. Now that I am in my last year of high school tennis has taken a bit of a back seat and I do not get a chance to play as much as I would love.

What is your favourite subject?

I love Math because it is constant.

What is you dream career?

I want to be an aeronautical engineer or a pilot.

Advice for aspiring tennis players?

Pick a sport that you love, be disciplined and prepared to work very hard.