16 swimmers for Barracuda gala in Maputo

By Ntokozo Magongo

Swim Lab swimming club swimmers will this weekend compete in the Barracuda Invitation Gala in Maputo, Mozambique.

The dominant club in the country will be led by Coach Welcome Nhlabatsi. The gala starts on Friday and finishes on Saturday afternoon. Sunday is open water but Swim Lab won’t be competing in that category.

The competition will be held at the Zimpeto Olympic pool. Some of the swimmers are national record breakers Hayley Hoy, Damien Desousa, Raya Young and Tiano Fraser among others. Nhlabatsi said this was their first competition in the year 2023 and it is in preparation for the local galas set to begging next weekend.

“We are ready for Maputo. We have prepared well and I’m sure my swimmers will make us proud. We have not attended the Mozambique gala in years so this is exciting. We have new swimmers and young up-and-coming swimmers who have no pressure on them but just to enjoy themselves. The Fraser boys will be joining us since they now school in South Africa. Big thank you to Viva Water for sponsoring the club with water and also thanks to Global Signs. I am not even scared to say we are going for podium finishes, we are also acing male and female best swimmer awards,” he said.

The swimmers are:
1. Hayley Hoy
2. Swakhile Dlamini
3. Raya Young
4. Sihlelelwe Shongwe
5. Shannon Nemes
6. Kendra Mcnamara
7. Sibo Mtsetfwa
8. Damien Desousa
9. Tiano Fraser
10. Luca Fraser
11. Tristan Way
12. Benjamin Way
13. Pedro Desousa
14. Tsailin Barbosa
15. Alwandze Dlamini
16. Morgan Magwaza