SD SWIMMERS NOT READY FOR OLYMPICS – SOCGA
SIKHUPHE – Swaziland Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (SOCGA) CEO Muriel Hofer feels the country’s swimmers are not ready for the pool on the world’s biggest stage.
Swimmers did not make the trip to Rio for the recently ended Rio Olympics for the first time in a long time. The country was represented by sprinters, Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa and Phumlile Ndzinisa.
Hofer, interviewed during the return of Team Swaziland at King Mswati III international Airport yesterday, highlighted that her office was not convinced swimmers would leave a mark.
“We no longer just include athletes because of the universality. We still feel the swimmers still need to record credible times.
“During the next Olympics in 2020 we also expect the athletes to fight for qualification. We’re monitoring young athletes we feel can be groomed for the future. We send the swimmers to Angola in December so that they can improve,” said Hofer.
Matsenjwa and Ndzinisa also did not qualify but got a slot through the ‘wild card.’ However, the latter, who strained her muscle during her race in Rio, narrowly missed out on qualification. She had clocked 11:35 out of 11:33 seconds.
Luke Hall was the last swimmer to represent the country, appearing in London in 2012.
Meanwhile, Matsenjwa slashed the national record in 200 metres from 20:67 to 20:63 seconds. Well-wishers and pupils from his former school, Mphundle High, converged at the airport to welcome him back.
Manager/coach Thoba Mazibuko was a notable absentee during the arrival. It was later gathered that he would catch a late flight alongside SOCGA President Zombodze Magagula.
Swimmers did not make the trip to Rio for the recently ended Rio Olympics for the first time in a long time. The country was represented by sprinters, Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa and Phumlile Ndzinisa.
Hofer, interviewed during the return of Team Swaziland at King Mswati III international Airport yesterday, highlighted that her office was not convinced swimmers would leave a mark.
“We no longer just include athletes because of the universality. We still feel the swimmers still need to record credible times.
“During the next Olympics in 2020 we also expect the athletes to fight for qualification. We’re monitoring young athletes we feel can be groomed for the future. We send the swimmers to Angola in December so that they can improve,” said Hofer.
Matsenjwa and Ndzinisa also did not qualify but got a slot through the ‘wild card.’ However, the latter, who strained her muscle during her race in Rio, narrowly missed out on qualification. She had clocked 11:35 out of 11:33 seconds.
Luke Hall was the last swimmer to represent the country, appearing in London in 2012.
Meanwhile, Matsenjwa slashed the national record in 200 metres from 20:67 to 20:63 seconds. Well-wishers and pupils from his former school, Mphundle High, converged at the airport to welcome him back.
Manager/coach Thoba Mazibuko was a notable absentee during the arrival. It was later gathered that he would catch a late flight alongside SOCGA President Zombodze Magagula.