By Oscar Pilipili
Experienced swimmer Kanyali Ilako leads national swimming team to the Confederation of African Swimming Federation (CANA) Zone Three and Four Championship in Botswana on January 5-8.
Ilako is expected to utilise experience gained from Olympics and Commonwealth Games to help Kenya retain the overall title they won at Moi International Sports Centre last January.
Kenya Swimming Federation publicity secretary Winnie Kamau said the 25 swimmers and three officials depart from Nairobi on Sunday at 9am.
"Most swimmers in the team like Anita Field, Samuel Ndonga and Alesa Ilako are very young, but this is not their first time to compete an African event," said Kamau in Nairobi yesterday.
A number of swimmers including Micah Fernandes, Sehar Saleh, Martha Opiyo and Talissa Lanoe withdrew from the team due to various reasons, according to team manager Patrick Muyah.
Meanwhile, Botswana will play host to 13 countries with over 400 athletes expected to turn up for the historic event.
Tournament Director and Botswana Swimming Association Secretary General Matthew Gibson said it is a privilege for the country to host the championships ahead of equally deserving countries.
"This will be the first time that the country will be hosting an international swimming event and we intend to use this rare opportunity to sensitise the nation about swimming," Gibson told The Voice Online.
Botswana had a medal haul of 43 with female swimmers coming second and the male team fourth to clinch an overall third position behind Kenya and Zimbabwe.
"We expect this year’s Championships to be tough. Last year’s winners Kenya and runners-up Zimbabwe will obviously bring strong teams, while South Africa will also like to improve on their last year’s performance," Gibson said.
KENYA TEAM
Dannielle Awori, Alexandra Ngini, Anita Field, Ayushi Chandaria, Rheah Nawab, Batian Thorpe, Roy Kiruri, Samuel Ndonga, Oliver Muhoho, Alesa Ilako, Graham Walker, Deeyn Shah, Siddanth Ram, Mikhail Teja, Elsie Njoroge, Edward Ilako, Handan Bayusuf, Payle Ilic, Amanda Wainaina, Kanyali Ilako, Christine Njoroge, Joshua Oruya, George Kariuki, David Buruchara, Jeremy Awori; Officials — Patrick Muyah (manager), Pauline Raburu (head coach), Mohammed Ahmed (coach)
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