Orapa Fails To Field Full Swimming Squad
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday January 21, 2019 12:30
The club’s spokesperson, Lesego Mabote said they had 11 swimmers, something made it difficult for them to compete in other strokes.
“In order for us to accumulate more points we needed more swimmers. We brought a lesser number because we did not have enough time to prepare for the nationals. People have been on leave due to the festive break and they just reported back for duty,” he said.
Nevertheless, Mabote said he expected his side to do well in the relays. BSSA vice chairperson, Andrew Freeman said the level of competition was impressive. He attributed this to the recently held Region 5 Gaborone 2018 Games, which he said kept swimmers in good shape.
As swimmers took to the pool, Phikwe Swimming Club remained a notable absentee, for the third year running. The club used to cause upsets at previous competitions, but was forced to fold due to the closure of BCL Mine.
Former Phikwe coach, Farida Pearmain told Sport Monitor that she could not continue running the club as swimmers have left town. She said her previous swimmers are now turning out for other clubs elsewhere. “The last time we competed at the BSSA Nationals was in 2016. Since the mine closed, I no longer have swimmers to take to the nationals. I am now left with young kids who cannot afford to travel to Gaborone to compete. Most of their parents are unemployed,” she revealed.
However, Pearmain still trains the young swimmers for the Botswana Games, which are fully sponsored by the government. The competitions were held on Saturday and Sunday at University of Botswana Aquatic Centre.