Altona, Formidables battle for supremacy at 13th Masters

Masters swimmers often argue they do it for fitness, health and as part of their lifestyle rather than for honours and trophies.
In fact that was what Uganda Swimming Federation (USF) were looking to establish when they started the National Masters Gala in 2015 – a way of life for those above the age of 24 willing to swim.
Four years later, the gala has grown by leaps and bounds in terms of numbers and there also seems to be a good rivalry brewing between Altona, the national and Cana Zone III champions, and Formidables.
Only nine points separated the sides at the 12th National Masters in March and it should be another edgy affair this afternoon at the 13 edition at GEMS Cambridge International School, Butabiika.
Both teams are built on the same foundation of encouraging adults to swims but Formidables have bolstered their squad with even more competitive swimmers after Ronald Daisuke Ssegwanyi swum for them at the Zone III.
At the last gala his sister Nana Nakiddu dominated the ladies too while 2008 Olympians Aya Nakitanda and Gilbert Kaburu are in their entries too.
Seasoned Masters’ swimmers like Peter Ssebanakitta, Ronald Lwanyaga, Joseph Kabogoza and William Muloopa will also bolster a team that already boasts of Donald Rukara, Peter Mugisha and their captain Geoffrey Kihuguru among others.
Altona, on the other hand, will have to defend their trophy the hard way. Michael Obote and Amos Bakka come into the team with lots of competitive experience too but Hunter Kodet is not among the entries this time.
Other sides like Dolphins and Seagulls will also be hoping to upset the top two with better and bigger squads today.