Nairobi, Kenya – February 1, 2025

The Private and International Preps Schools Sports Association (PIPSSA) Invitational Swimming Gala made a resounding splash on Saturday, February 1, at Moi Educational Centre, Nairobi. With over 500 swimmers from more than 30 private and international schools, the two-day event showcased exhilarating races and promising young talent.

This prestigious championship serves as a qualifier for the PIPSSA Inter-County Sports Tournament, set to take place on March 8, 2025, at St. Christopher’s School in Nanyuki. The overwhelming participation reflects the growing enthusiasm for competitive swimming among young athletes.

Among the institutions represented were Acacia Crest Academy, Bhakita School, Kitengela International, Lukenya Dolphins, Moi High School Kabarak, Merishaw School, Xtreme Swim Academy, Woodcreek School, The Rophine Field, Thika Road Christian School, Riara, Consolata, and many others.

Each school fielded its best swimmers, hoping to dominate the pool and secure a place in the much-anticipated March finals.

One of the standout performances came from 10-year-old Mutie Taareti from Consolata School, who clinched gold in the 100m 10-11 individual medley with an impressive time of 1:39.40. Speaking after his victory, an elated Taareti shared:

“I achieved my personal best in this gala, and it’s all thanks to hard work and training. I hope to carry this momentum into the upcoming competitions and win again.”

Christine Wanjiru, coach of Rware Swim Club, Nyeri, lauded the PIPSSA management for organizing such a high-level event, emphasizing the importance of competitive exposure for young swimmers.

“This initiative is fantastic. It gives our young swimmers a platform to compete and grow. I encourage more parents from Nyeri County to support their children in such galas. It’s especially inspiring to see toddlers as young as three years old bravely taking part.”

Coach Steve Otieno from Woodcreek International School also praised the event, highlighting its role in building confidence and refining competitive skills.

“These galas are crucial for our swimmers. They provide a great benchmark for improvement and help them gain valuable race experience. We are hopeful that our team will top the overall standings when the gala concludes tomorrow.”

The PIPSSA Invitational Swimming Gala is set to conclude on Sunday, February 2, 2025, with an eagerly awaited glamorous awarding ceremony. Victorious teams and outstanding individual performers will be honored with medals, trophies, certificates, and even cash prizes, ensuring they remain motivated in their swimming journey.

With such a strong display of talent, discipline, and sportsmanship, PIPSSA’s vision of nurturing young athletes in Kenya and beyond is clearly making waves in the world of competitive swimming.