27 May 2014

Swimming came to a conclusion at the on-going second African Youth Games on Monday, May 26, with Botswana finishing in number six after winning three medals; two silvers and a bronze, in an event dominated by South Africa and Egypt.

South Africa dominated the swimming competition, winning 26 medals: six gold, eight silver and five bronze. Egypt also had their fair share of medals winning 10 gold, four silver and eight bronze.

Botswana team had a difficult start to the games. Although the nation’s favourites Naomi Ruele and David Van Der Colff reached the finals, their opponents were far too superior.

During the second day when the locals discovered their form and with the home crowd behind them, Naomi and David were powered up for victory. Both swimmers are based in a high performance centre in South Africa, and the onus was on their shoulder to raise the Botswana flag high.

After Kgosietsile Molefinyane failed to qualify for the men’s 50 metres backstroke, all eyes were on David and he did not disappoint the sport lovers as he finished third in a race won by Bryan Gray of South Africa at a time of 26.38 seconds while Egyptian Mohamed Mohamed came second in a time of 26.84.

David came third with a time of 27.75 seconds winning a bronze medal. He however was unfortunate as he failed to qualify for the finals of the 50 meter freestyle, becoming an alternate, and the race was eventually won by Mohamed at a time of 23.38 seconds.

The nation’s favourite, Naomi, delivered as expected and whenever her name was announced, she would get a huge round of applause from the crowd.

Botswana supporters attended the games in big numbers and some of them were disappointed when they could not get inside the arena as it was overcrowded and the security personnel closed the gates.

The 17-year old swimming sensation won her first silver medal in 50 metres freestyle and the second in 50 metre back stroke. In the backstroke she came after South African Rita Naude who won gold with a time of 30.18 seconds while Naomi registered a time of 30.36 seconds and Namibian Zanre Oberholzer finished third in a time of 30.43 seconds to clinch a bronze medal.

The 4x50 meters mixed relay team was promising although they ended at number five. Naomi Ruele started with the backstroke, followed by Kitso Matija with breastroke and David with butterfly while Tanya Toth completed with the freestyle.

Team Botswana manager Connie Mogara said she was impressed with the way her team performed, saying they have reached their target of three medals.

She said the event was highly competitive, adding the local swimmers had previously competed in international events, hence knew what they should expect.

Mogara said although the locals failed in the 100 metre race, this did not necessarily mean it was difficult for them. The locals were on a learning curve and Mogara said the international exposure was crucial in their development.

Meanwhile, swimmers such as Tatjana Schoenmaker of South Africa and Egyptian Ahmed Abbas dominated the competition, winning several gold medals for their countries.

Among the medals he has, Ahmed won the 200 meters individual medley and 200 meters free style while Tatjana won 100 meters breaststroke and also helped her team to clinch gold in the mixed relay team. ends