Ghana's Dolphins Excel In Germany

Chelsea (L), Nafissath and Kelly Shooter display their medals at the poll side. Inset: Young Abeiku Jackson won seven gold medals

The Tesano Dolphins, a vibrant swimming club based at Tesano in Accra, have returned home from Ansberg, Germany, where they won 20 medals at the 41 st internationales Swimmfest.

Fourteen young swimmers, 10 girls and four boys, represented the country and after a splendid performance, they did themselves and Ghana proud by grabbing seven gold, six silver and seven bronze medals in the competition that drew 45 clubs, comprising two from West Africa -Ghana and Nigeria- and 43 from Europe.

The Tesano Dolphins placed 15 th and recorded the highest number of medals for single entries -eight medals from eight entries (seven gold, one silver)- plus a trophy for best 50m swimmer born in 2000.

 The Dolphins, founded in 2005 by Abbiw Jackson, were among the smallest delegations at the event, but managed to grab 4th positions in eight other events.

At the outdooring of the medals last Saturday at the club, the team manager Abbiw Jackson said, 'Our performance in Germany is only a stepping stone towards our real objective. We have set our eyes on qualifying for the Olympics.

'This will be achieved sooner than later. There may be ups and downs along the way, but we will rise to our ultimate goal,' he added.

And as part of efforts to realize their dream, he appealed for sponsorship and support, saying, 'It will be necessary for us to have various competitions. Our equipment, diet, training programs, etc, will be critical to achieving our dream for Ghana and ourselves.

'We the Dolphins appeal to all who can, to put a little faith and money in us. You will be investing in winners,' Lawyer Jackson added.

The chairman of the club's patrons John Atteffah commended the swimmers for their brilliant performance and challenged the National Sports Authority (NSA) to roll out more competitions, as well as develop other pools to keep the swimmers on their toes.  

President of the Ghana Swimming Association Theo Wisdom Edzie revealed that the Dolphins' performance was an indication that there could be another sport besides soccer.

He appealed for support from the corporate world and individuals as well as the construction of an Olympic-size pool for the country's swimmers.

Young Abeiku Jackon, one of the swimmers, was phenomenal in the competition, finishing first in seventh of the eight events he took part in, and second in the 200m free style. He was first in 100m free style, 50m backstroke, 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly and 200 butterfly.

 The young swimmer attributed his success to the instructions of the team's trainer, noting, 'Our coaches tell us swimming is a mind game and the toughest minds win.'

The other participants were Kow Asafuah Jackson, Ryan Degraft-Ackun, Kwesi Abbiw Jackson, Chelsea Degraft-Ackun, Kelly Shooter, Nafissath Radji, Eyram Shabashie, Ewura Quarshie, Delphine Shooter, Selinam Shabashie, Serwa Quarshie, Benedicta Ajaho and Dominique Stokes.

By Kofi Owusu Aduonum