Holland-based swimmer Joyce Tafatatha has been named in Malawi swimming team bound for Zambia to participate in a three-day Cana Zone VI gala from April 25. The team leaves from Lilongwe this tomorrow (Tuesday) by road.
Tafatatha is expected to make the team comprising 25 swimmers and four officials with Yona Walesi as the coach, said Malawi Acquatic Union (MAU) president Dean Pinto.
MAU is the mother body for swimming and other related sports codes.
Tafatatha, who was until last year based in Malawi and represented the country at the London Olympic Games, makes the squad which also includes Thomas Ngoga, Brave Lifa, Ammara Pinto, Kaitlin Harthoorn and Tom Donker, competing in groups from Under-14, Under-16, Under-18 and open age.
“We have also taken potential swimmers Tayamika Changanamuno, Martina Loga, Malaika Trinidade and Mwandeyi Kamwendo from our developmental squad as we build towards the Commonwealth and Zone VI Games next year, All Africa Games in 2015 and Olympics in 2016,” said Pinto.
“Everyone is expected to beat their personal times and in the process, if we pick up a few medals, we will be happy. Our main goal and challenge is to ensure we make qualifying times for international competitions within the next three years,” he said.
Conspicuously missing the trip is Zahra Pinto who is preoccupied with school in South Africa. Senior swimmer Charlton Nyirenda travels as assistant team manager and will swim in the open age and relay team.
The team leaves for Zambia courtesy of financial and material support from the Malawi National Council of Sports (funds), Malawi Olympic Committee (the bus), Energem (fuel) and Farmers World (track suits).
