Body picks prominent coach for youth games

Dar es Salaam. A prominent swimming coach in the country, Michael Livingstone, of the Dar es Salaam Swimming Club (DSC), has been appointed to train Tanzanian swimmers who will feature in the Olympics Games for Youths scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina from October 6 to 18.

The swimmers are Sonia Tumiotto – who will feature in the girls’ category – and Dennis Mhini who will compete in boys category.

Acting secretary general of the Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA), Inviolata Itatiro said Livingstone has been appointed after meeting the four criteria as per the ‘Fédération Internationale de Natation’ (the International Swimming Federation, Fina).

According to the criteria, a coach must possess a Fina Level-3 course qualification, must be familiar with the swimmers, must have produced competitive swimmers in the past – and must be active and experienced in national and international events.

“Michael has met all the conditions, and TSA’s interim committee has been satisfied with the coach’s qualifications. We believe he will train the swimmers well ahead of the Games, and hopefully make the country proud,” said Inviolata.

She said that Livingstone is required to prepare a training programme for the two swimmers before the Games.

“He is an experienced coach and is familiar with the two swimmers who are also in the national swimming squad, which will feature in the Cana Zone-3 championships to be held in Sudan,” she said.

The swimmers have met Fina’s conditions, which require a swimmer to have been born between January 2000 and December 31, 2003; must have participated in the Tanzania National Championships, must have participated in the Fina World Championships (50m), must have set the ‘best times’, must have attended a preparation training programme – and must show bona fide commitment.