By MWANGALA LISELI  –
EMMANUEL Muhango yesterday timed 38:27 seconds to win the Zamtel Swim Challenge 50 metres freestyle boys category at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) in Lusaka.
The event held at the 90-Days Legacy Swimming Pool saw Lameck Mulumba finish second with a time of 38:35 seconds with Chizola Phiri in third clocking 38:37 seconds.
In the 50 metres breaststroke category, Jacob Chimwanga emerged winner after clocking 52:17 seconds followed by Frank Mutono on 53:22 seconds while Innocent Phiri was third timing 54:32 seconds.
Abigail Phiri won the girls’ 50 metres breaststroke category with a time of 55:13 seconds while Faith Kunda was second on 55:11 seconds.
In the boys 50 metres backstroke, Mutono was the winner with a time of 44:76 seconds while Chimwanga hit a time of 56:62 seconds while the winner in the girls’ category was Nancy Mulenga who clocked 55:90 seconds while Precious Malaila timed 1:03:4 minutes.
Paul Chomba timed 1:47:71 to win the boys 100m breaststroke with Mwansa Sikazwe in second on 2:01:31 while Harrison Chimeya was third clocking 2:31:72.
Chimwanga got his second first place finish when he won the boys 100 metres freestyle timing 1:41:13 ahead of Innocent Phiri who timed 1:58:91.
Meanwhile, OYDC pool manager Charles Banda has urged Government to open up swimming facilities in public schools and universities so that many can be taught on swimming to avoid deaths.
Banda said it was important to start learning how to swim at a tender age and that the deaths that have been recorded in swimming pools were as a result of people not knowing how to swim.
“Government should put swimming facilities in public schools. We are concerned at how people are dying in numbers due to lack of knowledge in swimming. But we are happy that the Zamtel Swim Challenge is giving the underprivileged children an opportunity to showcase their talent in the sport,” he said.