Hashim Mohamed from Coastal Region during swimming action. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
Pained by last year’s narrow miss, Kenya’s swimmers to this year’s East Africa School Games are plunging back into the regional arena wiser and hungrier than ever before.
Having finished second in Kakamega, their mission in Morogoro is to rule the East African waters again.
The 30 swimmers, 15 boys and 15 girls who excelled at the national Term One games in Kisumu will be out to make the country proud. With Kenya having dominated the pools for years, they will be looking to restore the country’s glory.
Lurking in the lanes to block their redemption charge is a formidable and fast-improving contingent that includes defending champions Uganda and rising talents from Rwanda and hosts Tanzania.
With Uganda out to maintain the status quo and Rwanda and Tanzania seeking to close the gap, the battle for podium dominance will be very stiff. Every millisecond will count, and complacency will be a luxury no swimmer can afford.
National boys' most valuable swimmer Isaiah Munene of Moi Educational Centre will lead Kenya’s onslaught in Morogoro while Kamwele Maina of Samaj School will lead the girls in their quest.
Team Kenya coach Thomas Muli said the swimmers are prepared for the challenge.