Ghana's Prince Asante kickstarts plan to advance new aquatic sport in Kenya
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 25.10.24. | 19:39
He was this week joined by regarded US referee Casper Bob in his three-month initiative
Over 40 coaches were this week part of a groundbreaking beach water polo coaching clinic at Nyali Beach, aimed at boosting the sport in Kenya and the region.
Leading the event was highly regarded US water polo referee Casper Bob, joined by a former Olympian in the sport - Prince Asante Sefa-Boakye.
In an interview, Asante stated, "I’m impressed with the turnout for this clinic. This is the kind of spirit we need to promote water polo. We expect those trained here to share their knowledge with others so that we can keep spreading the sport across Africa.”
Asante, who first introduced water polo to Ghana in 2018, also announced plans for future clinics and donated equipment to Kenya’s community, including balls and floating goalposts.
Since first setting up a water polo scrimmage at a local school in Ghana, where he improvised with a soccer bench and chairs as goalposts, Asante has seen remarkable progress.
What began as an experiment has grown into a seven-team national league under the Awutu Winton Waterpolo Club, which he oversees.
His efforts are driving the promotion of the aquatic sport across the continent, which, until now, has seen only South Africa and Egypt represented at the Olympics.
"My reality of being a minority player is starting to fade with the launch of the Black Star Polo initiative," he shared. "Seeing Africans on the global stage in water polo is a dream I am working hard to achieve."
In Kenya, Asante's work continues as he stays for three months to develop the sport, with a focus on water polo and water safety programs, including those in Lamu.
The Lamu community has embraced these initiatives, acknowledging that they were long overdue.
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The next major event will take place during the Lamu Cultural Festival on Saturday, 30 November, where a beach water polo tournament will be held alongside other aquatic sports, such as open water swimming.
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