Kenya Aquatics Technical Director Shares Insights from South Africa

With just weeks to go before the Kenya Aquatics National Junior Swimming Championships, set for May 3rd and 4th, 2025, at Aga Khan Primary School, Kisumu, the call to action is clear: step up, train hard, and seize the moment.

In an exclusive interview with Kenya Swimming TV, Omar Omari, Kenya Aquatics Technical Director, shared valuable insights from his ongoing one week official assignment in South Africa, where he has been engaging with top-tier swimming programs and infrastructure.

“This championship is a crucial moment for young swimmers,” Omari emphasized. “It’s not just about winning medals—it’s about measuring progress, setting goals, and preparing for bigger future international events. The next generation of swimming stars will be shaped in that very pool in Kisumu.”

Swimming legends like Michael Phelps and Kenya’s own Jason Dunford started competitive swimming at an early age. By the time they were 10 years old, they were already posting impressive times, showing clear signs of their Olympic potential.

“Great swimmers aren’t born; they are made through discipline, training, and exposure to the right coaching environments,” Omari noted. “What separates elite athletes from the rest is how they train and prepare when no one is watching.”

This upcoming event is not just another meet—it is a defining moment for Kenya’s junior swimmers to gauge their abilities on a national scale and map out their future in the sport.

Omari’s visit to top-tier South African swimming facilities has highlighted a significant gap in Kenya’s swimming infrastructure and coaching methodologies. South Africa, a dominant force in African swimming, boasts world-class training pools, high-performance programs, and a structured coaching system that consistently produces elite athletes.

“We have a long way to go, but we are not starting from scratch,” he said. “We must prioritize investments in better training facilities, coaching capacity, and swimmer development programs. The talent is there—it just needs the right environment to thrive.”

The Kenya Aquatics Federation is committed to elevating local coaching standards by introducing international coaching exchange programs and encouraging Kenyan coaches to participate in elite training courses.

“If we want to compete on the world stage, we must think beyond local borders. Our coaches need exposure to the best techniques and methodologies used by elite swimming nations,” Omari stressed.

With the April school holidays in full swing, Omari is encouraging clubs to maximize this period with intense training sessions ahead of the National Junior Championships. He has also called for an increase in coaching exchange programs to boost specialized training across different swimming disciplines.

“For example, here in South Africa, clubs collaborate in unique ways. One coach is exceptional at coaching the butterfly stroke, while another specializes in freestyle. This kind of knowledge-sharing among coaches is crucial if we want to improve our swimmers,” Omari noted.

Kenya has long been known as a global powerhouse in athletics, dominating long-distance running events for decades. According to Omari, the same principles of structured training, grassroots development, and international exposure that have made Kenya a force in athletics can be applied to swimming.

“The world already recognizes Kenya as a sporting nation,” he said. “Now it’s time to extend that legacy into swimming. If we commit to the process, invest in young talent, and improve our training systems, Kenya will be a serious contender in international swimming.”

As Omari prepares to return home, he is determined to share the knowledge and insights he has gained from South Africa. His message to Kenya’s swimming community is clear:

“We have the potential to become a dominant swimming nation in Africa and beyond. But potential alone is not enough—it takes hard work, dedication, and the right support system. Let’s build a strong foundation for our swimmers, invest in our coaches, and create a competitive culture that produces world-class athletes.”

With the Kenya Aquatics National Junior Championships just around the corner, the stage is set. Will Kenya’s next swimming sensation emerge in Kisumu? The journey to greatness starts now.