SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR NEW SWIMMING PRESIDENT

MBABANE - The newly-elected President of the Eswatini Swimming Association (ESA), Pedro Nunes, has made a bold pledge to elevate the sport to new heights.

Nunes won this seat during a dramatic ESA elections, following the elective Annual General Assembly (AGM) held at SibaneSami Hotel, this past weekend. He secured 13 out of 24 votes, outclassing two former presidents who were favourites for this hot seat. The runner-up was Pelicans Swimming Club’s Berger Nxumalo, who garnered seven votes. Nxumalo had served the association for six years before resigning in 2020 due to a conflict of interest.  This was after being appointed to serve in the old Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council (ESRC) Board.

Meanwhile, former President Herman Jele managed to collect five votes Speaking after his election, he promised the swimming community new initiatives and reforms that will enhance the quality and scope of the sport, pushing it beyond its current limits and securing its prominence in the region. “Firstly, I’m honoured to have been selected as ESA president. I’m equally excited to work with my fellow executive members who are a highly-experienced group that has been involved with swimming for many years. Their passion and drive for the sport will allow us to take Eswatini Swimming to the next level,” he said.

Emphasising the importance of tackling pressing matters head-on, Nunes declared that eliminating the existing backlog of issues is a top priority for his administration. He vowed to focus on resolving not only the long-standing internal challenges faced by the ESA, but also those raised at the recent Annual General Meeting. “We need to investigate the root causes of these issues, then work on enhancing our governance and operational frameworks to prevent such issues in future.  “By creating a solid foundation within the association, we will be able to better manage the day to day workings, moving forward,” he added.

He emphasised the crucial role of promoting a healthy and supportive atmosphere within the association for the organisation’s success. “We need to establish clear and open lines of communication, hold regular meetings and engage in transparent discussions. It will be important to resolve conflicts constructively, focusing on solutions rather than blame. We will prioritise team building activities, provide professional development opportunities for executive members where possible and implement inclusive decision making processes, where everyone’s input is valued,” Nunes said.

The new sheriff in town went on to outline his vision for Eswatini swimming, which included increasing youth participation and equipping coaches with the necessary skills to elevate the sport to greater heights. “We plan to train more officials to enhance the standard of officiating in the country, and upgrade our facilities. By accomplishing these goals, we will pave the way to make a significant impact at the international level, and our hope is to win more medals at the CANA Zone African Aquatics level,” he added. Meanwhile, former Nozipho Mahlalela remains part of the executive committee.

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