Kenya is gearing up for a landmark event in the aquatic sports calendar as the Kenya Aquatics National Masters Swimming Championship is set to take place on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the state-of-the-art Kasarani Aquatic Arena. This championship, aimed at fostering competition and collaboration among regional swimming talents, will also serve as a stepping stone for the prestigious World Aquatics Masters Championships in Singapore later in the year.

In an exciting development, Kenya Aquatics has announced plans to invite swimmers from Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda to participate in the national championship. This move is part of a broader regional collaboration as neighboring countries also prepare for the World Aquatics Masters Championships, scheduled from July 26 to August 22, 2025.

“We will invite our neighbors from Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda to join in our national masters championship since we understand they are also preparing to participate in the World Aquatics Masters Swimming Championship,” said Omar Omari, Kenya Aquatics Technical Director. “If we jointly hold one trial for the four countries, it will bring an element of competition and significantly reduce the resources required for each country to host its own trial.”

The March championship promises to be a thrilling spectacle, offering a platform for swimmers aged 25 and above to compete in various disciplines and age categories. Beyond the competition, participants and spectators alike will enjoy a range of awards, including cash prizes, medals, certificates, vouchers, and trophies.

Omari further emphasized the championship’s potential to attract sponsors and create a vibrant atmosphere. “We are seeking sponsors to come on board and market their brands, as the event will offer a fertile ground for marketing and publicity. The national championship will not only showcase swimming talent but also serve as an ideal opportunity for businesses to connect with their target audiences,” he added.

Kenya Aquatics has committed to meticulous planning for the event, with a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) set to be instituted by January 2025. This early start will ensure that all logistics are in place for a seamless and memorable championship.

The championship will serve as a qualifier for the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Singapore, where over 6,000 masters athletes from more than 100 countries will compete across disciplines such as swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, and open water swimming. Kenyan swimmers who meet the qualifying times will have the opportunity to represent the nation on the global stage.

Registration for the Kenyan championship opens on January 10, 2025, and closes on March 10, 2025. Athletes are encouraged to register early and begin their preparations. For the Singapore event, registration runs from January 28 to June 26, 2025, via the World Aquatics General Management System (GMS) platform.

With the promise of thrilling competition, abundant awards, and regional camaraderie, the Kenya Aquatics National Masters Swimming Championship is set to be a highlight of 2025. As Omari aptly put it, “This is not just about competition; it’s about building bridges across our region and elevating Kenyan swimming to new heights. We look forward to welcoming swimmers from across East Africa and making this a truly memorable event.”

For swimming enthusiasts, sponsors, and aspiring champions, this is a chance to be part of an event that will leave a lasting legacy in Kenyan and regional aquatics. March 22, 2025, is a date to mark on the calendar as the region dives into a new era of collaboration and competition.