More than 300 children from over 25 schools are set to take part in the third edition of the Swahili Talent Swimming Competition, scheduled for May 23 and 24 at the Gymkhana Club in Dar es Salaam.
The competition, which focuses on identifying and nurturing young swimming talent, will also feature children with special needs as organisers seek to promote inclusivity in sports development.
Speaking during a press briefing on May 12, organiser Nelson Laurence said preparations for the event had been completed and registration officially closed after reaching the targeted number of participants.
He said the competition continues to attract younger participants, with many registered swimmers aged six years and below, reflecting growing interest in the sport among children.
“We have successfully reached our target of 300 participants and most of them are six years old and below. This is important because talent development begins at an early stage, and many children naturally show strong swimming abilities,” said Laurence.
He noted that the event will also involve 23 children with special needs from Dar es Salaam and Arusha, all of whom already possess swimming skills.
According to Laurence, several companies and stakeholders have joined the initiative by sponsoring prizes and sports equipment aimed at motivating participants and encouraging continued participation in swimming.
The top three performers in different categories will receive medals, while other participants will be awarded trophies and certificates as part of efforts to inspire young athletes.
Absa Manager George Kaindoah said the bank decided to support the initiative because of its role in promoting children’s development and raising awareness among parents on the importance of sports.
“Our focus is not only on supporting talent development but also on educating parents about the value of sports in shaping children’s growth and future opportunities,” he said.
Afiya Marketing Manager Mohamed Salim said the company was impressed by the competition’s commitment to inclusion, especially by giving opportunities to children with special needs.
“This is our first time sponsoring the competition, but we were impressed by the number of schools involved and the inclusive nature of the event. Supporting children’s sports development is something we strongly believe in,” he said.
Parent Phillip Saliboko said parents have a key role in helping children realise their potential by creating supportive environments for talent development.
“We want to see swimming grow into a major sport in Tanzania while giving children the opportunity to pursue and achieve their dreams,” he said.
Meanwhile, the competition’s coach, Odilo Kamata, said all technical preparations had been finalised, with coaches ready to oversee the event and ensure a safe and competitive environment for participants.
Kamata said the name “Swahili Talent” was intentionally chosen to reflect the organisers’ vision of reaching children from ordinary communities who often lack opportunities to showcase their abilities.
“Our goal is to ensure even children from grassroots communities get a chance to display and develop their talent through sports,” he said.
