Antigua and Barbuda’s National Swim Team is currently in Lima, Peru where they are taking part in the UANA Swimming Cup being hosted by Union Americana de Natacion (UANA).
The event is being held at The Videna Aquatic Complex and began February 21, ending on February 23.
Team members include, Captain Olivia Fuller competing in the girls 15 – 17 age category; Angelique Gittens in 13-14; Selah Wiltshire and Sydnee Hesse in the girls 11 – 12 year old category; while Tony Goodwin and Tivon Benjamin will be contesting in boys 13 -14 and 11 – 12 age categories, respectively.
President of the Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Federation, Dr Derek Marshall, complimented the swimmers on qualifying for the event and wished them well on their campaign, saying, “UANA is a showcase event that brings together the best in the region, including the Americas and the Caribbean. I wish our swimmers well as they pit their skills against the best from the hemisphere.”
He added, “our season is not yet at its peak but our swimmers are doing well in the pool, and we expect to hear good things coming from Peru”.
Accompanying the team is Head Coach Nelson Molina, Team Manager Anjanette Wiltshire and chaperones Tessa Hesse and Huey Wiltshire. Dr Cleopatra Gittens, Emma Martin and Denise Jarvis also accompanied the team and were selected as officials for the prestigious meet.
ABSF Vice-President of Pools, Darren Derrick, added his well wishes to the Antigua and Barbuda contingent, saying, “Our swimmers are performing well, and although this meet is not at an ideal time in our academic or swim calendars, we expect that our swimmers will all do Antigua and Barbuda proud. I would also like to congratulate the officials on their selection to adjudicate at this high-level meet. It demonstrates their commitment to the sport of swimming and is recognition of their abilities.”
The National Swim Team was the first national team to wear the official Antigua and Barbuda uniform, that was recently unveiled at the Vita Malt National Sports Awards by the Honourable Minister of Sports, Culture, National Festivals and the Arts, Daryll Matthew.
The Minister made a special effort to visit the members of the departing team at the VC Bird International Airport and wished them well.
Local swimming action continues with the 7th National Swimming Championships, February, 28th to March 1st, 2020 at the Viper’s Aquatic Facility located at Langfords.