NASFED hosts national short-course championship
Swimming gala
Clubs from across the country, as well as from South Africa, Angola and Zambia have entered swimmers.
The Namibia Aquatic Sports Federation (NASFED) will host its annual national short-course swimming championship from today until Sunday at The Cube in Swakopmund.According to NASFED’s president Riaan Steyn, the annual event will bring together qualified swimmers from different Namibian clubs competing.
“These clubs have in the past year during the short-course season participated in various short-course swimming galas at various venues throughout the country, where their swimmers have had the chance to qualify for the prestigious national short course championship.”
Growth
Steyn said that the competition could be at a higher level than in previous years.
“We have received entries from 16 foreign clubs – from South Africa, Angola and Zambia, sending 30 of their top swimmers to take part.
“This year we have put in even a bigger effort to get the neighbouring countries to take part in our competition. It is all part of our drive to give our swimmers the best possible competition at our galas and to promote Namibia, our federation, our pools and facilities as a sports tourist destination.
“A total of 246 talented swimmers, aged between 7 and 71 years, have entered and will compete in breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke, freestyle and the individual medley.
“Foreign swimmers will be seeded in the top-three placings in 17 of the 80 events. One can take into consideration that 35 of these events are in the masters category, or the relays in which the foreign clubs does not partake.
“The participation of these visiting swimmers will surely keep us on the edge of our seats, especially to witness the intense battle between local and international participants,” Steyn said.
First place in any individual race would earn the swimmer annd his club 11 points, while second to eighth place is worth 9, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point respectively.
The senior victrix and victor ludorum award winners’ points are calculated based on the sum of the highest FINA points performances in their best six events swum.
Publicity
Steyn added that hosting high-profile sporting events of this magnitude brings publicity by raising the profile of the country and potentially increasing sports tourism.
“By working with local stakeholders, these sectors have the benefit of freely marketing themselves and providing a positive impact in their community.
“Sports tourism has a significant impact on the economic growth of cities across the globe. It creates job opportunities, increased tax revenue, boosts local businesses and attracts new businesses to the area.
The official opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday 30 September at 08:00.
The session starting times: Today from 14:00 and 17:30 / Friday from 09:00 and 14:00 and 17:30 / Saturday from 08:30 and 13:30 / Sunday from 08:00 and 12:00.