‘TZ needs modern swimming pools’

Dar es Salaam. Recently Tanzania Swim Squad featured in the South Africa international swimming championship alias South Africa level 1 and 2 held in Johannesburg.

The South Africa level 2 was the first event to take off at Ellis Park from March 28 and reached its climax on March 31 and was followed by South Africa level 1 swimming championship held at Germiston swimming pool from April 1 to 3 respectively.

The two swimming championships featured many swimmers who aimed to excel in the game. More than 750 swimmers from six countries featured in the level 2 championships, which were very competitive compared to level one.

Tanzania managed to win eight medals in the level 2 and other two medals in the level one respectively.

Apart from medals, swimmers managed to improve their time in the event that was used by South Africa swimming governing body to select the skinny-dippers ahead of the African swimming governing body (Cana) zone four championships scheduled to take place in Mauritius from today.

Angola, Swaziland, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and the hosts South Africa swimmers featured in the event.

Josephine “Jojo” Oosterhuis was the super star swimmer for Tanzania, after winning four medals and was followed by Jacqueline Kortland, Isabella Kortland and Amani Doggart in the list of best performers for the country.

Marin de Villard, Celina Itatiro, Pieter de Raadt, Adil Bharmal and among others also did the best in the event, after improving their personal time. The team also did best in relay event.

The results impressed swimming stakeholders because the country was featuring in the event for the second time in history. In the first time, Tanzania won only one medal.

Challenges:

Apart from chilly climate in Johannesburg prompted by high altitude compared to Dar es Salaam, swimming facilities was one of the biggest challenges for Tanzania.

Johannesburg ‘s temperature was ranging between 18 °C -23 °C centigrade while Dar es Salaam is above 30 °C centigrade.

However, Tanzania swimmers managed to shine, especially those based in Arusha region, which is somehow in high altitude compared to Dar e s Salaam.

Jacqueline Kortland, Josephine “Jojo” Oosterhuis and Isabella Kortland were famous names in the event due to their performances. Amani Doggart (Dar es Salaam) also did well in the championship.

MODERN 50 METERS SWIMMING POOL

Tanzania which attained its Independence in 1961 is yet to have modern 50 meters swimming pool recognized by international sports governing bodies. The country has many private swimming pools, which are devoid of sophisticated equipment compared to those used in the South Africa level 1 and 2 championships.

Johannesburg alone has 69 community swimming pools that are used to train swimmers and lifesavers. Ellis Park is among the deepest pool which was built in 1904.

Apart from the University of Dar es Salaam (Udsm) 33 meters swimming pool, other swimming pools found in Tanzania is of 25 meters. In Johannesburg, 25 meters swimming is used for warming up or for swimmers cooling down purposes.

Despite having such swimming pools, Tanzania swimmers and officials are facing difficulties to get their actual personal time in the game due to absence of touchpad which record the swimmers time once they finish the race.

Also Tanzania has no modern diving blocks which are used during diving competition or training.

Many swimmers expressed their concern on the matter saying, Tanzania should at least build one Olympic or modern community swimming pool that would be used to gain experiences ahead of international competitions.

“Look, we have to wake up very early in order to train at the full equipped swimming pool, we need to experience them before the competition, other swimmers are coming as per their schedule because they are familiar with the swimming pools modern facilities,” said Celina Itatiro, the swimmer. Celina explained that it is difficult to accustom modern swimming facilities in few hours before competitions. “Can you train one hour before you compete, you will adopt for a while and not like those who train in 50 meters pool that are not found in Tanzania,” said Celina.She also said Tanzania need to have touchpad which is used to record swimmers finishing time.

“In South Africa we have seen time keepers and touchpad all are used to record time. However, this is done to get actual time for swimmers. Touchpad help to avoid tampering with the swimming time,” she said.Another swimmer, Marin de Villard said he faced difficulties when performing 50 meters as he wanted to turn when he was in the middle of the race. Dar Swim Club (DSC) secretary general, Inviolata Itatiro said South African swimmers and coaches have many options in preparing swimming schedule for swimmers due to availability of many community swimming pools.

Inviolata said the cost of using facilities is less compared to Dar es Salaam. Ellis Park t charges 5 Rand (Sh 650) for child and 10 Rand (Sh1, 300) for adults to use swimming pool for whole day.

“If you train three hours per day, you will end up paying lots of money in hiring facilities, that’s why we need to struggle to get many swimming pools for developing the game,” she said.

She said swimming is very important for everyone in the country. Apart from being part and parcel of sport, it is essential for physical fitness. The health benefits of swimming are numerous. It trains the cardiovascular system; it is a low-impact exercise which makes a greater part of the body to workout.

TANZANIA SWIMMING ASSOCIATION (TSA)

Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) has already submitted their five years strategic plan to develop the game, including building community pool. In their plan, the body has requested the government to provide the land for building a modern swimming pool.

RESPONSE FROM THE GOVERNMENT

Minister for Information, Culture, Artistes and Sports Nape Nnauye said the government is planning to build the community swimming pool during the second phase of National Stadium construction.Nnauye said they have submitted a request to the Prime Minister, Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa during the meeting of various sports bodies in the country held at the National Stadium.

“We know the challenges facing the game (swimming) and you cannot compare South Africa with Tanzania, there is a big difference between the two countries, but we plan to ameliorate the situation,” said Nnauye.