The Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) has recorded a historic milestone after more than 400 young swimmers took part in the 10th National Youth Swimming Championships, currently taking place at the International School of Tanganyika (IST) swimming pool in Masaki, Dar es Salaam.
The competition, which features boys and girls aged between four and 12 years, has attracted participants from Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia, reflecting the continued growth of swimming as a competitive sport across East and Central Africa. The event is expected to conclude tomorrow.
TSA said the record turnout underscores the strong progress being made in developing grassroots swimming in the country, driven by increased participation from schools, parents and coaches, as well as growing interest in structured youth sports programmes.
The association noted that this year’s edition has surpassed previous participation levels, marking a significant step in expanding the sport’s base.
The Tanzania Swimming Association Tanzania Swimming Association said the championships are designed to introduce children to competitive swimming at an early age, while helping identify and nurture emerging talent for future national and international competitions.
Officials added that the strong participatiaon demonstrates growing confidence in the sport’s development pathway.
The International School of Tanganyika International School of Tanganyika, which is hosting the event, has provided a platform for both local and regional swimmers to compete in a structured environment, with coaches using the championships to assess performance and scout potential national team prospects.
National team head coach Alexander Mwaipasi said the competition offers an important opportunity for technical teams to identify promising swimmers who could be included in future national squads, including preparations for upcoming regional events such as the Zone Three championships in Uganda. He added that the focus remains on building a strong foundation for long-term athlete development.
