Swimming: Field to remain loyal to Kenya as family relocates to the UK

About four years ago, local swimming family woke up to a rude shock following news that Achieng Ajulu-Bushell had turned her back on Kenya and joined Team Great Britain.

Ajulu’s decision sent shock waves among swimming lovers because she was the biggest prospects in the water sport.

A similar script is being replayed but with a different character and vision.

Today, another hot prospect and potential Olympic material is set to leave the country and start a new life in the UK where her parents are relocating. 

But unlike the 2010 scenario, the swimming prodigy-Anita Field- has pledged to remain loyal to Kenya and swim for the country on her place of birth throughout her career.

Born of a father of English origin and a Kenyan mother, Field (pictured) has represented the country in various international events since she was aged nine.

She said: “I will remain a member of Team Kenya regardless of where I will be staying,” she stated.

“I’ll always be available to represent this lovely country, Kenya in any competition whenever called upon to, without a second thought,” she asserted.

“My lifetime dream is to swim for Kenya at the Olympics and Rio 2017 is my target,” said the swimming prodigy who has been named in the Kenyan team for 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Field made her international debut during the 2009 Cana Championships in Johannesburg aged nine.

She was a key member of the Braeburn team that has dominated Nasa and Kenya Swimming Federation events over years.

Having captained the school for six years, she has now done her IGCSE at Braeburn and landed a high scholarship in one of the top swimming schools in the UK, Field will have enough time to focus on the sport.

high performance training

“I’m certain that I will access high performance training in the UK and make Kenya proud,” she told FeverPitch in Nairobi yesterday.

Field’s mum, Nasra affirmed that her daughter will never turn her back on Kenya at any one time.

“I have told Anita never even try and shift loyalty at any one time and not even when I’m dead, lest I turn in grave with anger,” she quiped.

Field’s latest international competition was during the recent African Youth Games in Botswana.

She is one of the current generation of swimmers expected to take the sport to next level, after the exploits of Dunford brothers Jason and David.

Kenyan team to Glasgow has Field, Sylvia Brunlehner, Talisa Lanoe, Rebecca Kamau, Emily Muteti, Daniel Awori and Martha Opiyo for women.

Jason Dunford who is arguably the most successful swimmer ever to come from Kenya leads the men’s chargers alongside Micah Fernandes, Kimani Maina, Hamdan Bayusuf, Tory Pragassa and Issa Abdalla.