Kenya swimming team coach Peter Mwagangi has set their sights on the top position as the Africa Aquatics Zone 3 Championship starts tomorrow in Rwanda.
Team Kenya finished third and second in the last two events held in Uganda and Tanzania respectively and the tactician believes the team is capable of topping the log.
“It has been tough over the last couple of years competing without our flag. But following the lifting of the ban, our boys and girls have trained well and are in good spirits for the championship,” added Mwangangi.
The team will be up against powerhouses South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, and hosts Rwanda.
Mwangangi said the team has nothing to fear in facing the favourites South Africa.
“I don't think there is anything to fear against our biggest rivals South Africa or any other team despite the challenges we have had for the last couple of years.
"We finished in the top three in the past two editions and now we have been given the go-ahead by World Aquatics, the excitement and motivation among the swimmers is high and we are going flat out to win,” observed Mwangangi.
The 35-man team was assembled over the weekend at Sabis International School in Runda, where they put their final touches before departing this morning to Kigali.
The team received a big boost with Kenya-branded gear from the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) and team manager Betty Omoro thanked NOCK and the Ministry for playing a key role in overturning the ban.
“We would like to thank the two organizations for their support in lifting the ban on swimming. We would not be where we are today,” he said.
Omoro said the talent in the country across all age categories is immense and the lifting of the ban is timely.
"We have lost a generation of swimmers but I am happy to say we have huge talent across the country,” added Omoro.