Kenya will send 40 masters' swimmers to the Uganda Swimming Federation National Championships in Kampala this weekend
Among them are Gedion Kioko, Stephanie Mwaura, Anne Obure, Hillary Leboy and Steve Odera, all of whom have had notable careers in competitive swimming.
Speaking ahead of the trip, Kenya Aquatics secretary general Collins Marigiri remained optimistic about the team’s chances.
He said: "We are impressed with the team and look forward to them performing well and winning the overall trophy. Uganda has an impressive masters' swimming programme.
"We’re also taking part in an exchange programme and benchmarking initiative. Our swimmers will have an opportunity to tour Kampala, compete and have fun."
He emphasised the importance of such events in fostering the growth of masters' swimming in the region.
"In March, we held our inaugural national masters' swimming championships at Sabis International School, where the Uganda team fielded swimmers," he said.
"There are many master swimming championships lined up this season, including the famous Kiambu Aquatics in December, the Africa Aquatics Zone 3 Championship in Burundi in November and the World Aquatics Master Swimming Championship next year in Singapore."
Kenya Aquatics will use the initiatives to encourage retired swimmers, such as the legendary Jason Dunford, to return to the sport and give back to the swimming community.
"We aim to inspire the younger generation of swimmers who have the potential to excel on the international stage. Additionally, the masters' swimming programme encourages adults to keep fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle, which can help mitigate lifestyle diseases like hypertension, high blood pressure and diabetes," he said.
The Ugandan championships marks the first of several international competitions that the Kenyan masters' swimmers will participate in this year, with plans to compete in the Tanzania Swimming Federation’s Master Swimming Championship in Dar es Salaam next year and more global events.
Meanwhile, Kenya Aquatics have submitted a bid to host the inaugural Africa Aquatics Master Swimming Championship at the Kasarani Aquatics Stadium in Nairobi next year, alongside the Africa Zone 3 Swimming Championship.
In addition, the federation have submitted a proposal to World Aquatics requesting donations of System 7, touchpads and a scoreboard.
