Gaborone is set to become a hive of sporting activity on September 5 when Botswana hosts the CANA Zone IV Swimming Championships. The regional event is anticipated to draw teams from Lesotho, eSwatini, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia as well as Botswana, uniting some of Southern Africa’s finest swimming talent. Team Botswana is reportedly in peak form, with high hopes that the country’s swimmers will rise to the occasion and put forth a strong performance on home soil.
The Botswana Swimming Sports Association (BSSA) has expressed confidence in the team’s preparedness. BSSA spokesperson Bokang Mokobi emphasised that the association prioritises individual performances over medal counts, aiming for athletes to showcase their skills. Mokobi noted that swimmers have been training throughout the year, with some already breaking records in their respective categories.
Moreover, he highlighted that hosting the CANA Zone IV Swimming Championships would benefit Botswana by elevating the profile of swimming and showcasing local talents. The championships are also expected to enhance sports infrastructure as existing facilities will be utilised and upgraded, creating a llegacy for the country’s sports sector. In addition, the event will stimulate the economy by attracting visitors and generating revenue for local businesses.
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According to Mokobi, the BSSA plans to leverage the championships as a platform to further develop swimming in Botswana, including conducting clinics and identifying young talents. “With the support of sponsors such as DTCB and ITIQ, who have contributed in terms of funding, Botswana is well-prepared to host a successful event,” Mokobi stated. Botswana is no stranger to hosting prestigious swimming events; in 2020, the country successfully held the CANA Zone IV Swimming Championships, which attracted over 250 swimmers from across the region. During that edition, local swimmers such as James Freeman and Andile Bekker opened the championships in style, clinching gold and silver respectively in the 800-metre freestyle event.BOPA
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