Parents have been called upon to encourage their children to indulge in swimming both as a sport and as a disaster preparedness measure.
Speaking in Nyahururu over the weekend during the Mt Kenya Bloc Aquatic Championships held at the Nyahururu Elite School, Aquatic Kenya officials said that swimming is no longer a sport for the rich but should be trickled down to all cadres of life especially in public schools.
According to Aquatic Kenya officials, swimming as a sport is not so popular in the region and hence the Association targets to spread the sports to different parts of the country and in rural areas to help nurture and develop young talents for a better tomorrow.
The Mt Kenya regional swimming gala attracted seven counties among them Nyandarua, Laikipia, Kiambu, Meru, Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Murang’a and was used to sensitise on the need to embrace the sport like any other.
“Though this is not a popular sport in Nyandarua, organisers and participating teams put in a tremendous effort to ensure fans get entertained and inspired by the sport.
Participants took the opportunity to showcase their prowess in the sport and this is one of the best in keeping body fitness and as a competitive sporting activity,” said Simon Kaberu the Aquatics Kenya vice chair
According to Tabitha Waithaka and George Munene, this is one of the sports that is underrated and underscored the need to popularise as it also goes hand-in-hand with the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The duo said that the participating teams dedicated themselves to showcasing their skills and determination, making the event exciting.
On her side, Dr Priscila Maina from Pearl Hospital observed that swimming is one of the sports that help in keeping fit as it helps to exercise all the body muscles and assist in relieving muscle tension.
“Swimming as a sport helps keep heart rate up while taking stress off the body, builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness and also helps maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and lungs,” said Dr Maina.
Dr Maina added that swimming skill can also be beneficial especially when one drowns as it assists victims to navigate through the water to safety.
During the day-long event, spectators got the opportunity to enjoy thrilling swimming action hosted in a high altitude area of over 2,300 m above sea level.
By Antony Mwangi
