FINA teamed up with Swimming South Africa to form a hub for the development and growth of Aquatics in Africa that will welcome FINA Scholarship Programmes, as well as Coaches and Officials Education and Certification Programmes.
The agreement signed covers the creation of a new FINA Development Centre in Franschhoek, South Africa.
Swimming South Africa President Alan Fritz said: “We are very grateful to FINA and FINA President for the support and for delivering this significant project. Aquatic sports in Africa, and in our region in particular, will truly benefit from this new Development Centre and we intend on boosting the performance of the African athletes.”
CEO of Swimming South Africa, Mr. Shaun Adriaanse added: “This is a huge advantage for our swimmers here in South Africa and other countries on the continent in terms of developing new talent.
“The goal of Fina centres like these is to unlock potential and create favourable conditions to equip athletes to be able to qualify and represent their respective nations at the Olympic Games and World Championships.This is a wonderful opportunity and we look forward to seeing what talent will be unearthed at the new centre in the future.”
These two latest initiatives underline Al Musallam’s vision to strengthen all Development Activities and provide assistance to all FINA National Member Federations in need, without discrimination. FINA Executive Director Brent Nowicki also took part in the signing ceremony this morning at the FINA HQ in Lausanne.
As the continent is speeding up with Olympic preparation, South Africa recently qualified two athletes (Michelle Weber and Michael McGlynn) for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Marathon Swimming event. Namibia also clinched a historic qualification for the Games with Philip Seidler securing the Africa slot at the stake at the recent FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier in Setubal (POR).
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