The Kenyan swimmers joining Rising Stars in making Kenya proud in Egypt

The U20 football team, Rising Stars is not the sole outfit that is currently flying the Kenyan flag in Egypt. 

While the Rising Stars are in Egypt for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations, nine swimmers, a technical official, coaches and a host of officials are also in Cairo for continental action. 

The Kenyan swimmers are competing at the 16th edition of the Africa Aquatics Junior Swimming Championship hosted at the Cairo International Stadium's pool. 

The team, comprised of five boys and four girls, is under the tutelage of Mohammed Ahmed, with Veronicah Wambui serving as the assistant coach in the tournament that got underway on Wednesday. 

Besides the coaching unit, the Kenyan team tagged along with Collins Marigiri, who is a judge in the championships that attracted swimmers from 32 countries. 

Speaking after the conclusion of the Wednesday activities, Ahmed revealed that all the Kenyan swimmers had posted new Personal Best (PB) times in their respective categories. 

National Junior Swimming Championships garners massive traction

"I am happy that our swimmers are registering new times across different categories. The future of Kenyan swimming is in good hands, as we have good swimmers coming up. We need to expose our swimmers to big competitions like this one on a regular basis," said Ahmed, who coaches at Blue Ocean Swimming Club in Mombasa. 

With the curtains falling on the competition on Saturday, Ahmed remains optimistic of improved performance by individuals swimmers and the mixed relay. 

"The level of the competition here is very high. I am, however, proud of our players, as they have been giving their best. They are humble, eager to learn and improve on the areas we coaches point out. We are hopeful of a strong finish in our final day activities," he added. 

Ahmed is not new to this level of competition, having led the Kenyan team in the 15th edition held in Mauritius two years ago. 

Back then, Kenya had 19 swimmers, with the mixed relay team finishing third in the biannual event. 

The tactician delved into coaching in 2013 in Mombasa, where he was trusted in introducing kids to the game. 

Kenya U20 coach refuses to blame officiating in "unfortunate" AFCON loss to Morocco

He rose through the ranks and would secure his basic coaching badge in 2015, before going for the level two certificate in 2017.

He sat for the level 3 badge the following year, and advanced in 2021, allowing him to coach at the international level. 

Kenyan swimmers at Africa Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships

Swimmers

Ameir Muravvej

Johari Masinde

Neo Olengo

Victor Okech

Nathan Matimu

Duini Caffini

Macrine Kalombo

Audrey Chebet

Ruth Lindsviskt Wangare

Officials

Head Coach- Mohammed Ahmed

Assistant Coach Veronicah Wambui

Team Manager-Hillary Liboyi