St. Christophers School Nanyuki retain Mt. Kenya Swimming Bloc Championships

St. Christophers School Nanyuki were crowned the overall winners of the third edition of the Mount Kenya Swimming Bloc Championships held at the M-Pesa Foundation Academy, Thika on Saturday 1st April 2023.

The defending champions recaptured the prestigious shield they held the previous year by breezing past their closest challengers Loreto Convent Valley Road and Crawford International School in the combined team scores.

The invitational gala attracted a total of 27 Private and Public Primary and High schools with over 700 swimmers actively taking part in both the boys and girls categories. 

"We are delighted to successfully defend our team titles and taking them back home," St.Christophers School Nanyuki coach Omar Ali said following the trophy presentations. "This is a product of the hardwork the coaches and swimmers put in despite various challenges we faced in the buildup. I am really pleased with what we have achieved."

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Speaking during the one day event, PIPSSA Kenya Technical Director and Events Coordinator Mark Gaya was impressed with the high turnout and entry levels the championships had registered as it aligned to the event's ambitions.

"I am delighted with the numbers we have witnessed today and this just goes on to show the level of seriousness we are treating the sport with. Almost all schools that we sent invitation letters to have graced the championships. This is very motivating and boosts the overall competition."

Saturday's event marked the culmination of the region's round of selections used to come up with a team of over 150 swimmers that will participate in the Kampala Invitational Swimming Championships scheduled for April 20 in Uganda, with a later meet at the Dubai Hamilton Aquatics Development Swimming Championships penciled for June this year.

Mt Kenya region had initially held two invitational tournaments at the Moi Educational Centre and St.Christopher School in Nanyuki.

"In as much as we are here to develop and nurture the sport, it has always been our goal as Mount Kenya to incorporate a sense of sports tourism in all of our events so that the young kids get to visit new places and facilities, interact and learn," Mark Gaya said about the future events' objectives.

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In the boy's category, St. Christophers School Nanyuki topped the charts with 395.50 points with Crawford International School and Chantilly School rounding up the top three places.

Loreto Convent Valley Road emerged the winners in the girl's category with 410 points, finishing ahead of St.Christophers School Nanyuki (209) and Crawford International School (196 points).

"Its been a long time coming," Loreto Convent Valley Road swimming coach Sarah Odongo reacted to the school's victory. "Our plan is to now defend this title next year."

As part of the region's plan to growing the sport in the grassroots, PIPSSA Kenya will on April 15 hold the Kenya Eastlands Invitational Swimming Championships at Umoja 1 Primary School in a bid to having more schools in the region take up swimming.

Events Coordinator Gaya also confirmed talks with Alliance High School officials who have put in place plans to have the best swimmers from the regional championships get consideration to join the institution once done with their primary school education.

The event was sponsored by the Kenya Swimming Federation, Avenue Health care, Optiven and Joy Bells Cake Centre.