By Vuyiswa Mabila
MBABANE- Eswatini is beaming with pride as two of its young swimmers, Hayle and Luca, made remarkable waves at the Africa Junior Aquatics Championships held in Cairo, Egypt. Representing their nation with determination and skill, both athletes delivered commendable performances on the continental stage.
Hayle made a strong impression by securing 6th place in the highly competitive 200m butterfly event. Her dedication, technique, and perseverance were on full display, earning respect from both fans and fellow competitors. Meanwhile, Luca also put on a solid performance, finishing in 15th place—an achievement that reflects his consistent hard work and potential for future growth.
The Eswatini Swimming Association ( ESA) expressed their excitement following the impressive performance of the duo. “We are impressed with the overall performance of the team.” Said ESA CEO Nozipho Mahlelela. “It was exciting for Hayley to make it to the finals in her 200m Fly, so unfortunate that she just missed finals in the 100m fly. Now they go back to training as we are hopeful for podium finish in swimming at the AUSC Region 5 games in Namibia.” She adds
She further thanked the coaches and team managers for their continued support to the young stars.”We are grateful to the coach and team manager for supporting our athletes and truly appreciate the ESRC for the financial support provided to the ESA. The federation is invested on the mandate to deliver an outright Olympic Games or Paralympic Games qualification.” She explained.
These accomplishments have not only highlighted the individual talents of Hayle and Luca but have also placed Eswatini firmly on the map in the realm of junior competitive swimming. Their success serves as an inspiration to young athletes across the country, showing that with commitment and effort, international recognition is within reach.
The nation congratulates Hayley and Luca for their outstanding achievements and looks forward to more great performances in the years to come. Their journey in Cairo marks a significant step forward for Eswatini’s presence in aquatic sports.
