Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The XXAfrica Aquatics Zone IV Swimming Championships started in Windhoek on Wednesday, with over 370 swimmers from 13 Southern African countries expected to compete for honours.
The tournament, organised by the Namibia Swimming Federation (NASFED), also includes the Open Water Championships, which will be held at Lake Oanob outside Rehoboth and will run until Sunday, 08 December.
NASFED athletes’ representative, Molina Smalley is part of the team competing at home but also preparing to compete at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships from 10 to 15 December in Budapest, Hungary.
She encouraged her competing counterparts to have a firm belief in their ability to compete against the best swimmers and still win.
“Remember the hard work that brought you here, countless hours of training and firm belief in your abilities. Remember you are not just swimming for yourself but also for your teammates, your country and those who are supporting you all the way. Stay focused and we will all cheer for you every step of the way,” she said.
Smalley and three other Namibian swimmers will not be competing at home as they gear up for the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Budapest, Hungary, from December 10 to 15.
66 athletes from Namibia will be hoping to capitalize on their home field at a tournament they dominated last year in Luanda, Angola.
They finished on top of the medal table with 117 medals, with Angola finishing second with 74 medals, South Africa third with 48 medals, Mozambique fourth with 47 medals, and Zambia with 33 medals at the time.
