GHANA COMPETES IN THE 4TH FINA WORLD JUNIOR SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS-DUBAI

From left to Right - Kwaku Addo Ophelia Swayne and Kwesi Abbiw Jackson before departure at Kotoka Int. Airport

The National Swimming Team, after an improved performance at the 15th FINA World Championship in Barcelona last month, has embarked on an historic trip to Dubai, UAE to participate in the 4th FINA World Junior Swimming Championship to be held from Monday 26th August to Saturday 31st August, 2013 at the magnificent Hamdan Bin Rashid Sports Complex.

The same swimming triad of Ophelia Swayne, Kwesi Abbiw Jackson and Kwaku Addo would represent Ghana at the World Juniors event which serves as a major qualifying event towards the 2014 Youth Olympic Games scheduled for Nanjing, China. Mr. Jackson Kodwo Abbiw, Coach and Team Manager of the famous Tesano Dolphins Swim club is leading the team to Dubai. Also participating in the championship is Mr. Kwami Kpodoh who would be performing duties as a FINA Technical Delegate. His momentous appointment came earlier this year after he received official certification as FINA referee together with Helena Williams.

This Under-18 Junior championship, hosted by the UAE Swimming Federation and supported by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) has been earmarked as the biggest world Junior swimming Championship in history, featuring over 1000 swimmers and officials from 96 FINA Member countries.

Kwaku Addo and Ophelia Swayne will compete in the 50m Freestyle, 50m butterfly events with Kwesi Abbiw Jackson going for the 50m and 100m Freestyle on 28, 29 and 30th August. Kwaku Addo currently holds the best time of 25.47s in the 50m, Kwesi Abbiw Jackson; 1:01.25secs in 100m Freestyle and Ophelia Swayne; 28.1secs in 50m Freestyle, 29.60 in 50m Butterfly.

Ghana's participation was facilitated by the Ghana Olympic Committee through the IOC Youth Olympic Games Solidarity support as well as the National Sports Authority. This championship would enable our young swimmers to be confirmed in their Universality Places offered by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, Nanjing.

The swimmers before their departure to Dubai on Saturday via Emirates Airlines, were upbeat and confident about making another indelible impression at the World Junior Swimming Championships. They are expected back in the country on Monday 2nd September, 2013.