Stakeholders want President Ruto to replicate Harambee Stars treat to swimmers

Swimming stakeholders have called upon President William Ruto to extend his fresh wave of motivation to other sports disciplines, as he is already delivering to the Harambee Stars in the ongoing CHAN 2024.

Kenya Aquatics Second Vice President Hillary Leboy has commended the President on his move which has awakened Kenyan youths to work extra hard in sports especially when representing the country in international assignments.

"The synergy between football and swimming may not be obvious at first glance, but both share the same heartbeat — discipline, teamwork, and the ability to unite a nation in pride. We are not just asking for money but for recognition, for the same belief he has in football to be extended to us," said Leboy.

At the same time they said that the upcoming Africa Aquatics Zone 3 championship will be a chance to market Kenya as a sporting and tourism hub.

“This generation is different; they swim with conviction, purpose, and national pride. Kenya now knows that swimming is not just a sport — it’s a possibility. If the President can give footballers a reason to fight harder, he can do the same for our swimmers. Imagine the boost it would give a young athlete training in a county without a proper pool.”

In October, Nairobi will host the 10th Africa Aquatics Zone 3 Swimming Championships at the Kasarani Aquatic Stadium, with over 20 nations expected to dive into competition.

Preparations for the championships are in full swing. Over 200 swimming coaches from across Africa have already converged at Crawford International School for the ASCA Coaching Certification Clinic, led by top U.S. tactician Sarah Holman.

Holman, who will also run a high-performance training camp for swimmers at Potterhouse School in Runda, has praised Kenya’s raw talent and promised to initiate swimming exchange programmes to nurture it.

“The potential here is untapped,” she said. “With the right support, these swimmers could be world-class.”