Tafatatha to miss Malawi Aquatics Championships

Aquatics Union of Malawi (AUM) Championships rolls out tomorrow at St Andrew’s International High School in Blantyre, but the country’s top female swimmer Joyce Tafatatha will miss the event.

According to AUM national coach Yona Walesi, Tafatatha will not make it because she will be sitting for her General Certificate of Secondary Education (GSCE) examinations in the Netherlands during the three-day championships.

“But considering that anyone wishing to qualify for international events has to take part in a national contest, Tafatatha will compensate for her absence from the Malawi event by participating in the Sweden National Championships later this month,” said Walesi.

Nevertheless, he said tomorrow’s championships, which are expected to be the qualifiers for the April Zone IV Championships in Nambia, will still be full of exciting displays of skills by over 200 athletes that have registered.

“The competition will start at 4.30pm on Friday with long and middle distance swimmers. Short distance athletes in categories such as 25 metres, 50 metres and 100 metres freestyle, backstroke, breast stroke and butterfly will start on Saturday from 7.30am. The relays will follow on Sunday,” he said.

Walesi added that between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday, AUM will conduct its annual general meeting (AGM) and elections at Annie’s Lodge in Blantyre.