The Kasarani Aquatic Stadium is set to become the center of the regional swimming world this weekend as the Kenya Aquatics (KA) Long Course National Age Group and Open Championship officially gets underway. This year’s event carries extra weight, serving as a critical selection meet for major international assignments including the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Youth Olympics in Dakar, and the Africa Aquatics Zone Three Championship in Uganda.
With over 2,000 participants expected from across the country and neighboring nations like Uganda, the championship promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.
A Technological Leap Forward
The headline story of the championship isn’t just the athletes, but the technology. Kenya Aquatics will officially unveil its newly acquired Colorado System 7 timing device, a state-of-the-art setup valued at approximately Sh10 million.
Supported by World Aquatics through its development program, the new equipment includes:
• High-resolution finish cameras for pinpoint accuracy in close races.
• A new digital scoreboard for instant result display.
• An electronic starter horn to ensure world-class competition standards.
Kenya Aquatics Secretary General Collins Marigiri noted that the technology will significantly enhance the experience for swimmers and coaches alike, bringing Kenyan swimming infrastructure in line with elite global standards.
Regional Rivalry Ignites
The presence of regional swimmers, particularly from clubs in Kampala, is expected to push Kenyan athletes to their limits. “Having swimmers from neighboring countries will improve the level of competition,” Marigiri stated. “This will be a strong meet, and our swimmers’ exposure will be tested accordingly.”
For many local stars, this is the final opportunity to clock qualifying times for the 2026 season’s biggest stages. The federation will use these performances to finalize the national squads that will represent Kenya on the continental and global scenes.
What to Expect at the Aquatic Stadium
• The Field: Elite swimmers from Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Uganda across various age categories.
• The Atmosphere: With renovations at the wider Kasarani complex ongoing for other sports, the Aquatic Stadium remains the shining jewel of the facility, ready to host thousands of fans.
• Selection Stakes: Look out for fierce battles in the 100m and 200m freestyle and backstroke events, which are traditionally the most contested slots for international call-ups.
As the first whistle blows, all eyes will be on the scoreboard to see if the new timing system records some historic new national records.
