Over 200 swimmers from across the region converged at Asyana Gardens this past weekend for the highly anticipated Kajiado County Aquatics Championship, a crucial short-course selection trial aimed at identifying the county’s representatives for the upcoming national competition.
The championship, which attracted participants from at least eight teams including the dominant Sea Horses Aquatics Club with its massive contingent of approximately 100 swimmers, provided a rare and essential platform for local talent to prove their competitive readiness.
The stakes for the competitors were exceptionally high, as the primary goal of the meet was to secure one of the top 20 slots designated for Kajiado athletes to proceed to the National Swimming Championship. Scheduled for December 4-7 at the Bandari Maritime Academy in Mombasa, the national event itself will serve as a key qualifier for international competitions, including the World Aquatics Championships in Beijing, China, giving the local event significant weight.
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Organizers, including the Chairman of Kajiado County Aquatics, Jeff Ekumbo, a World Aquatics referee, emphasized that the tournament’s core purpose was to spot and nurture the region’s swimming talent capable of achieving success on the global stage.
Ekumbo acknowledged the considerable growth of aquatic sports in Kajiado, a region traditionally known for other activities, citing increased access to facilities as a positive factor.
The county’s inclusive approach, allowing skilled non-county residents to participate, was aimed at fostering broader competition and enhancing talent identification.
While official, finalized results detailing the names of the successful qualifiers and the overall club standings are still awaited, the event marks a pivotal moment for Kajiado’s sports development agenda.
The focus now shifts to the preparation and training of the selected cohort as they embark on the next phase of their journey, aiming to meet the strict performance metrics required to excel at the national level.
The event was also open to non-county residents, who were eligible for team selection
By Masaki Enock
