Youthful swimmers on ambitious mission
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday September 1, 2023 12:40
The four swimmers will debut amongst over 600 promising young swimmers from more than 100 National Federations that are expected to compete. The team received financial assistance from Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTC) to the tune of P100,000. The sponsorship was handed over to the Botswana Swimming Sports Association (BSSA) yesterday. Speaking at the event, Senior Manager Human Resources, Stella Moetse said they are excited to be sponsoring the team. “One of our strategic priority is to elevate sustainability in communities which ensures the promotion of socio-economic activities for the betterment of Batswana. The partnership is befitting for DTCB and BSSA,” she said. Moetse said DTCB supports community activities that have a strong inclination towards capacity building, enterprise development and supporting women, children, and people living with disability. She said her company recognises swimming as a comprehensive discipline with far-reaching implications. BSSA president, Kgaotsang Matthews said they are in the implementation stage of the Long-Term Strategy and the most important objective of the strategy is the performance of athletes. “Our swimmers travelling are aged between 13 and 17. We have many talented swimmers who need our support. Swimming is an Olympic sport and some of these swimmers are looking into qualifying for the 2028 Olympics,” she said. Matthews said local swimmers have shown potential to become top swimmers and get medals at the world championships. “We do not want our swimmers to leave when they go to university; we want them to keep in the water. That is the time they should be at the Olympics, they should stay in the water. They deserve our support,” she said.
Swimmers Profiles:
Full name: Melodi Saleshando Date of birth: September 13, 2009 Team: Propellers Swimming Academy Events: 50m, 100m breaststroke and 200m Home village: Maun Achievements: She made her national team debut when she was selected for CANA Zone IV Championships 2022 held in Lusaka, Zambia, where she won a silver medal in the 100m backstroke. Before that, Saleshando attended the South Africa Level 3 Championships 2022 at Hillcrest, Pretoria, where she won five medals. She also has two gold, two silver, and a bronze from the 2023 CANA Zone IV Championships
Full name: Gaamangwe Junior Keitsile Date of birth: May 20, 2007 Team: Propellers Swimming Academy Events: 50m and flystroke, Freestyle and 200m flystroke Home village: Mahalapye Achievements: Competed in the 2020 CANA Zone IV and set a new record in the 50m butterfly. He is a winner of the Botswana National Championship Victrix trophy. He recently competed at the Commonwealth Junior Games in Trinidad and Tobago.
Full name: Mmusi Matthews Date of birth: June 6, 2006 Team: Darrell Morton’s School of Swimming Events: 50m flystroke, 100m breaststroke and 200m breaststroke Home village: Serowe Achievements: He is a national record holder for three events; the 50m breaststroke with a time of 31.16s, the 100m breaststroke at a time of 1:08.66, and the 200m breaststroke in 2:31.73.
Full name: Tumo Matija Date of birth: September 15, 2005 Team: Phoenix Events: 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke and 100m freestyle. Home village: Maun Achievements: Matija is ranked number two in the 17 and Under male rankings in Botswana. Overall he is ranked as number five top swimmer in the country in the open age group. Some of his notable swimming tours include his selection in the 13th Junior Africa Youth Championships in Tunisia in September 2019. He also attained gold at the Africa Aquatics Grand Prix South Africa 2023.