Dunford to splash in Mombasa this weekend

By Ernest Ndunda

Commonwealth champion Jason Dunford will be in action this weekend during the national Open and Age Group Open group swimming championships.

The three-day swimming gala starts tomorrow through to Sunday at the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa.

Jason is smarting from winning the 50m butterfly gold medal in the Commonwealth Games, which concluded recently in New Delhi, India and is expected to smash several records as they are in top form.

Other members of the national team who participated in the October 3 to 14 Commonwealth Games will also be in action, according to the Kenya Swimming Federation Public Relations Officers, Winnie Kamau.

Jason’s younger brother David, who also won gold medal in the September Africa Senior Championships in Casablanca, Morocco, will be in Mombasa for the event.

Mombasa-based Ramadhan Vyombo, Sylvia Brunhlenner and Hanika Patel are expected to showcase their skills during the games.

Kamau said this would be the last event of their 2010 calendar and would be used select swimmers to form a provincial team for the 10th FINA World Championships Short Course in Dubai.

The Dubai meet is set to run between December 15 and 20.

Full house

"We expect to a full house event this weekend as swimmers would be fighting for national slots," said Kamau.

She said 1,600 entries have been received, adding that more swimmers are expected to register today.

Victor Kameta, who set a new meet record a fortnight ago during the Coast Open and Age group Championships, would lead Mombasa juniors.

Kameta, a pupil at Nyali Primary School, Brunlehnner of Mombasa Academy and Mombasa Loreto Convent’s Emily Muteti set several meet records during the Coast event, are in top form and much is expected from them this weekend.

During the Coast event Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa, Oshwal Academy won 30 gold, 18 silver and seven bronze medals for the top position.

Mombasa Academy were second with 25 gold, 18 silver and 10 bronze medals while Mombasa Aquatics were placed third with 23 gold, 18 silver and 15 bronze.