Swimmers call for Olympic-size swimming pool in Mombasa

Swimmers at the Bandari Maritime Academy during the swimming gala organized by Golden Swimming Organization on Saturday / BRIAN OTIENO

Swimmers at the Bandari Maritime Academy during the swimming gala organized by Golden Swimming Organization on Saturday / BRIAN OTIENO

Stakeholders in the swimming sector in Mombasa want authorities to invest in an Olympic-size swimming pool in the county.

The stakeholders on Saturday said the only such swimming pool is at Kilifi International School in Mavueni, Kilifi County, more than 100 kilometers away.

Speaking during a swimming gala organized by Golden Swimming Organization at the Bandari Maritime Academy, Mohamed Tsama, a director at the organization, said swimming is fast regaining its position among the top sports at the Coast but is hampered by lack of training facilities.

He called on Kenya Aquatics, to which the Golden Swimming Organization, a community-based organization, is affiliated, to help Mombasa get an Olympic-size swimming pool to better prepare swimmers for the global competitions.

“We have a lot of swimming talent in Mombasa, but to get them ready for the global stage, we need more facilities and more support,” Tsama, who is also a swimming coach at Busy Bee School, said.

He encouraged parents to introduce their children to swimming at early stages so as to be better swimmers when they come of age.

He said the CBO spots swimming talents that they can nurture, but they also need sponsorship because of the costs incurred.

Nyali School principal Aurelia Manyeti said 40 of her students participated in the gala.

Manyeti said although she has a swimming pool at her school, there is no Olympic-size swimming pool in Mombasa; thus, she has to incur extra costs to take her students to the only Olympic size swimming pool at Kilifi International School at Mavueni, Kilifi county.

“I have to worry about the distance and the cost of transporting them there and paying for the pool,” Manyeti said.

She called on authorities to think about establishing an Olympic size swimming pool in Mombasa, which, she said, has many excellent swimmers.

Myra Dhamir, a student at MM SHa Academy and a member of Octopus Swimming Club in Mombasa, said she enjoys swimming because it keeps her physically and mentally fit.

Her dream is to one day represent Kenya at the Olympics.

However, she said swimming facilities in Mombasa are few, far and small in size and cannot adequately prepare them for top level swimming competitions.

“I encourage my friends to join swimming as a sport because it is fun and at the same time it helps makes you strong,” the 11-year-old Grade 6 student said.

Abubakar Mrema, also from Octopus Swimming Club, said swimming helps create bonds with different people and makes one stay grounded in health.

“My goal is to reach at the highest levels at the Olympics and represent my country there. But for me to achieve this we need to have Olympic-size facilities to train in. Right now we have none in Mombasa, which is a shame really,” he said.

He said he would want to represent Kenya at any level at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, in the US.

Lilian Kwaya, a parent, said swimming helps children gain discipline and focus in life.

He said although it is costly and time-consuming, swimming is a good distraction, especially at this era where screens provide content that are morally not right for children.

“They have two hours of training every day so it is a good distraction from the screens. It also helps them grow their confidence and discipline,” Kwaya said. 

INSTANT ANALYSIS:

Mombasa is a major hub for swimming in Kenya, featuring top clubs like Bandari Swimming Club, Octopus Swimming Club and Mombasa Aquatics, frequently hosting national championships. The coastal city boasts of top swimmers like Aker Mutinda, Nalwoga Mutinda, and Emily Muteti. Events often take place at venues like Aga Khan Academy, Bandari Maritime Academy and Metus Pool, involving hundreds of competitive swimmers.