Kenya Underwater Federation

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📢 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – IOC DIPLOMA COURSES
Deadline: Tuesday, 22nd July 2025

Kenya Aquatics invites interested and qualified members to apply for the following NOCK-sponsored IOC programs:

1️⃣ IOC Diploma in Sports Medicine
2️⃣ IOC Diploma in Sports Physical Therapies

These programs aim to equip sports professionals with advanced skills in athlete care, injury prevention, and performance support.

🔹 Minimum Requirements:

Actively involved in sports

Fluent in English

University degree in a relevant field

📄 Application Documents:

CV

Motivation Letter

University Degree

For Physical Therapy applicants: Include a brief profile of your support to federation activities

Support Letter from Kenya Aquatics

⚠️ Please Note:
Only applicants nominated by Kenya Aquatics will receive an official support letter, which is a mandatory requirement.

📨 Submit your application by Tuesday, 22nd July 2025 to:
[email protected] (CC: [email protected])
Late submissions will not be considered.

Let’s continue building expertise and growing our sport together.

Don’t Miss Out! Join Kenya Swimming TV’s WhatsApp Channel for CHAN 2024 Action and Free Final Tickets

Get front-row access to one of the biggest sporting events of the year — the CHAN 2024 tournament, proudly co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

By following the Kenya Swimming TV WhatsApp Channel, you’ll be the first to receive exclusive updates, match insights, behind-the-scenes content, and more. Even better — we’ll be giving away free tickets to the highly anticipated final at the newly revamped Kasarani Stadium.

Kenya Swimming TV is your go-to digital sports hub, offering premium coverage of swimming and general sports news, both locally and beyond. Whether you're an athlete, fan, or enthusiast — this is where the action lives.

Be part of the movement. Be where the updates break.

📲 Follow now and stay in the loop.https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaXeosW7T8bS0ODDDX2F
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*🌊 9 DAYS TO GO FOR THE KENYA AQUATICS OPEN WATER TIME TRIALS! 🌊*

📍 Nyali Beach, Mombasa
📅 Saturday, 21st June 2025

Ready to race the ocean? 🌊
This is not just another swim —
It's your shot to qualify for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore 🇸🇬🔥

👊 Compete. Qualify. Represent.

📩 Send your entries to:
👉 [email protected]
(CC [email protected])
Payment:
[email protected]
🕐 Deadline: Wednesday, 18th June

Let’s make waves 🌊

Day Two of Kenya Aquatics Nationals Brings Out Passion, Pride, and Rising Stars

The second day of the Kenya Aquatics National Swimming Championships got underway at the Kasarani Swimming Arena in Nairobi, and the atmosphere couldn’t be more electric. With swimmers from six countries diving in, the event has quickly turned into a true regional showdown filled with pride, determination, and incredible talent.

Day one kicked off with long-distance races, including the grueling 1500m freestyle, setting the pace for what’s shaping up to be a thrilling three-day competition.

Among the swimmers making waves was Sara Mose, 20, one of Kenya’s top female swimmers and a proud representative of Fithub. “The competition’s tough, no doubt,” she said with a smile, catching her breath after her race. “But I came back to Kenya two weeks ago just for this. I wanted to be here, in this pool, against the best. That’s how we grow.”

Another young talent who stole the spotlight was Havya Shah, just 11 years old, representing Kenton College. She clocked an impressive 2:16.32 in the 200m butterfly—an incredible achievement at her age. Havya spoke with quiet confidence: “It’s been a really humbling experience. I hope one day I’ll swim for Kenya at the World Championships.”

Behind the scenes, the event has earned high praise for its organization and facilities. Max Kanyerezi, Meet Director and World Aquatics Representative, applauded the quality of the pool and the strong support structure in place. “This isn’t just about medals,” he noted. “Some of these swim times could very well decide who makes it to the World Championships.”

For Omar Omari, Technical Director of Kenya Aquatics and head coach at Crawford International School, the energy around the event says it all. “The turnout has been fantastic,” he said. “You can feel how swimming is growing—not just here in Kenya, but across the region. There’s something special happening.”

Omar also took the opportunity to encourage coaches, team managers, and former swimmers to sign up for the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Certification Course, which is coming to Kenya in August 2025. It will be led by Coach Sarah Holman, a respected ASCA educator and a member of US Swimming. “This is a big step,” he said. “We need to invest in our coaches just as much as our athletes.”

The championship wraps up on Sunday, June 1st, but the impact will be felt long after the final whistle. Top performers here will go on to represent their countries at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore (July 2025) and the Junior Worlds in Romania (August 2025).

This week, may the doors you've been looking for, open for you.

Lanes of Legacy: The Philosophy Behind Kenya’s Youth Swimming Development

In a quiet corner of the pool deck, beneath the rhythmic splashes and the shrill of starting whistles, Kenya Aquatics’ Technical Director, Omar Ali Omari who also doubles as Swimming Head Coach Crawford International School, leans in to share what he calls “the long view”—a carefully structured vision for how Kenya can grow from a nation of promising swimmers to a powerhouse in international aquatic sport.

“The journey of a champion begins long before the stopwatch starts ticking,” Omari says, his eyes scanning a group of young swimmers diving into the shallow end. “It begins at the grassroots, where we teach not just technique, but confidence. Discipline. Joy.”

The Three Tiers: A Roadmap to Excellence

Kenya’s youth swimming development framework, as outlined by Omari, is built on three interlinked stages: grassroots, youth, and elite. Each level is more than just an age bracket—it’s a stage of growth, with its own purpose, philosophy, and method.

1. Grassroots (Ages 5–12): The Culture of Swimming Begins

Grassroots swimming in Kenya is not simply about competition—it’s about access and participation. At this level, found primarily in county programs, public schools, and the PIPSSA league, the goal is to introduce as many children as possible to the water. It’s swimming as recreation, as therapy, as play. It’s also where the foundational skills—floating, breathing, basic strokes—are taught.

“We often underestimate the power of early exposure,” says Omari. “A child who swims for fun at seven is more likely to pursue it with discipline at seventeen.”

This stage is where swimming is democratized. Not every child will become a competitor, but every child should be water-safe. In a country where water safety is a national concern, grassroots swimming serves a dual purpose: creating a swimming culture and addressing public health.

2. Youth (Ages 13–17): From Potential to Performance

Once the basics are in place, the focus shifts from participation to development. Swimmers who demonstrate aptitude are identified and guided through structured training programs. This stage, says Omari, is where talent starts to rise—and must be supported with care.

“Swimming is not just physical—it’s mental. It’s emotional. At this age, we must protect our athletes even as we push them.”

Training becomes more systematic: technique refinement, race strategy, nutrition, and even sports psychology enter the picture. The recent team that represented Kenya at the Africa Aquatics Championships in Cairo is a shining example of this system in action. Athletes like Neo Olengo, who emerged from county programs and school leagues, are now proving themselves on continental stages.

3. Elite (18 & Over): Swimming for the Flag

The elite stage is the culmination of years—sometimes decades—of investment, both personal and institutional. Here, the swimmers represent Kenya in events like the World Aquatics Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics, and African continental meets.

Names like Haniel, Sara, Maria, Ndegwa, and Rhidwani are no longer just local champions—they are ambassadors in goggles, carrying the dreams of a nation into international waters.

Training at this level is immersive and demanding. Many athletes train abroad or under international coaches, blending global best practices with Kenyan resilience. But the foundation—Omari insists—must remain local.

“You can’t build an elite swimmer in a vacuum,” he says. “They need a nation behind them. They need a pipeline. That pipeline starts with the child who’s learning to blow bubbles in the shallow end.”

The Vision Ahead: A National Swimming Identity

As Kenya positions itself more aggressively on the global aquatic map, the conversation is expanding beyond medals. There is growing dialogue about building swimming infrastructure in rural counties, offering coaching scholarships, and embedding swimming into national education policies.

Omari’s hope? That swimming in Kenya becomes not just a sport, but a national identity—like running is today.

“We have talent. We have the heart. What we need now is structure and belief,” he says with quiet conviction. “One day, when a Kenyan steps on the podium at the Olympics, we’ll all look back and know it began in a school pool, somewhere in Kisumu or Kilifi.”

And just like that, the journey comes full circle—from grassroots to greatness, one stroke at a time.

Exciting Update: New Venue for the Kenya Aquatics Inaugural National Water Polo Tournament!

Dear Water Polo and Swimming Community,

We’re thrilled to announce a change in venue for the much-anticipated Kenya Aquatics National Inaugural Water Polo Tournament. Originally set to take place at Potterhouse School, the tournament will now be hosted at the Rosslyn Academy Runda.

Date: Saturday, 17th May 2025
New Venue: Rosslyn Academy, Runda

This one-day celebration of sport will be made even more special with the presence of distinguished water polo officials from the United States and Ghana, marking a new chapter for water polo in Kenya.

What to Expect:

Free Entry for All Teams

Spectators Welcome – No Charge! (Don’t forget your ID at the gate)

Exciting Introduction to Colorado Shot Clocks – A first in Kenya!

Delicious Bites from Top Food Vendors

Ample On-Site Parking

Come witness the energy, passion, and future of water polo as we make history together. Whether you're a player, fan, or curious first-timer, this is an event you won’t want to miss!

Let’s make a splash – see you tomorrow at Rosslyn Academy for a day of unforgettable action.

Warm regards,
Omar Omari, Hon. Msc. PE
Chair, Kenya Aquatics
Technical Director

Young Waves Ready to Make a Splash as Kisumu Hosts 2025 National Junior Swimming Championships

By Samwel Maina
Genesis Sports Limited
April 28, 2025

KISUMU — Anticipation is surging across Kenya’s swimming circles as the country gears up for one of the year's premier youth sporting events: the 2025 National Junior Swimming Championships.

Set to dive into action from May 3–4 at the Aga Khan Academy's world-class aquatic facility in Kisumu, the championship promises two days of fast-paced competition, spirited community support, and a glimpse into the future of Kenyan swimming.

Organized by Kenya Aquatics, the event will draw over 500 young athletes aged 6 to 11 from across the nation — from Nairobi's bustling city lanes to Mombasa's sunlit coastlines, Eldoret’s highlands, and Kisii’s rolling hills. For many, it's more than just a meet; it's the first step towards greatness.

"This championship is where Kenya's swimming stars are born," said Omar Omari, Chairperson of Kenya Aquatics' Technical Committee. "We’re not just hosting races; we’re shaping the future of our national team."

The competition lineup is set to be intense, featuring all four classic strokes — freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly — across multiple distances and relays. With strict qualifying times in place, every race promises to showcase Kenya's best young talent.

Adding to the event's prestige is the venue itself. The Aga Khan Academy Kisumu, boasting a half Olympic-sized pool and cutting-edge sports facilities, has become a regional hub for aquatic excellence. Nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Victoria, the Academy offers an inspiring stage for young athletes to chase their dreams.

Beyond medals and personal bests, the Junior Championships will also serve as a key scouting opportunity. National team selectors and partner organizations will be on the lookout for the next generation of Kenyan swimming stars, identifying talent for future regional and international competitions.

A hallmark of Kenyan youth sports, the championship will see passionate involvement from parents, coaches, and local businesses, turning the poolside into a festival of community spirit. Vendors and youth organizations will add to the vibrant atmosphere, ensuring that the event feels like a true celebration of young talent.

As the countdown ticks toward the opening whistle, expectations are sky-high. If history is anything to go by, the 2025 Kenya National Junior Swimming Championships won’t just crown champions — it will inspire the next wave of Kenyan swimmers to dream bigger, swim faster, and aim higher.

Kenya Aquatics has issued an open call to all sports enthusiasts to come and support the nation's young athletes as they take the plunge in Kisumu, chasing excellence, resilience, and national pride — one stroke at a time.

Kisumu dala here we come

With Kenya Swimming Tv – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

https://kenyaswimmingtv.co.ke/kenya-aquatics-announces-prestigious-world-aquatics-scholarship-a-golden-opportunity-for-kenyan-swimmers/

Kenya Aquatics Announces Prestigious World Aquatics Scholarship: A Golden Opportunity for Kenyan Swimmers - Kenya Swimming TV Kenya Aquatics has announced the launch of applications for the 2025–2026 World Aquatics Swimming Scholarship Programme — a game-changing opportunity for talented Kenyan swimmers to elevate their careers on the global stage. The World Aquatics Scholarship, one of the most coveted development pro...