Parents, coaches bicker over competition format
Seals’ Abthea Mudanye competes in the 50m butterfly race during last year’s Seals’ Swimming League at Kampala Parents School. FILE PHOTO
Kampala- Seals Swim Club are under pressure from parents to include more short races for younger swimmers in the second edition of the club’s league meet scheduled for tomorrow at Kampala Parents School, Naguru.
The league, which attracted over 200 swimmers in 2015, is held once in every quarter of the year and unlike most swimming events in the country, it rewards individual rather than team performances.
“A number of parents, coaches and clubs have declined to participate in the meet on grounds that their swimmers are under eight years and there are no races of 25 metres,” a club statement read.
Only Altona, Makerere, Pirates, International School of Uganda, Sailfish, Rubaga Girls School and Shark Teens had confirmed participation for the age group competition by yesterday but even these had entered select sides.
Dolphins opted out to prepare for the long course age group championships in Kenya due February 26-29.
“We would have loved to have more swimmers but we shall have a team ready to compete with swimmers that have made the times according to the trials we have held and the events available,” Altona coach Erick Kisero said.
But Seals chairman Tefiro Sserunjogi insists they are trying to prepare swimmers of all ages for elite competitions.
The meet will be dominated by 100m, 200m and 400m races.
“Short races do not demonstrate the swimmers’ mastery of the strokes. We are trying to test how long the swimmer can hold the right stroke, which in our view is crucial in the development of young swimmers,” Sserunjogi explained.
The club has included a juniors’ meet, for swimmers under 11 years, in their calendar but insists it is important to keep sensitizing parents, who shoulder the biggest financial burden for both clubs and swimmers, to allow their children embrace more middle and long distance races.
