15 factors for my nation – 50M backstroke race When I started swimming three years in the past, it by no means occurred to me that at some point, I might be a nationwide swimmer, at an aquatic stadium, adorning the… | Dorothy Kabagambe Ssemanda

15 factors for my nation – 50M backstroke race

When I started swimming three years in the past, it by no means occurred to me that at some point, I might be a nationwide swimmer, at an aquatic stadium, adorning the nationwide colours and waving the nation’s flag excessive for all of the world to see.

Well just some months in the past, I received the golden alternative to characterize my nation in sport on the Africa Aquatics Zone III Swimming Championships, not solely as a nationwide athlete, however as a workforce chaperone, and a proud mom of two nationwide swim athletes.

Every 12 months Africa Aquatics hosts regional swimming championships. In 2025, the Zone III competitors befell on the Kasarani Aquatic Stadium in Nairobi, a vibrant lengthy‑course venue identified for internet hosting main regional occasions.

Nine nations together with Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Nigeria took half in what I might describe as essentially the most memorable swimming competitors I’ve participated in.

It has not been lengthy since I began aggressive swimming, so whereas the elite masters’ swimmers together with Donald Rukare, Dustan Rukare, Abisagi Mugenyi, made the A listing that will characterize Uganda within the Africa Aquatics Zone III Swimming Championships, my title was on the reserve listing. I used to be not phased. As a matter of reality, I used to be ecstatic, elated and positively privileged to even be thought of to characterize my nation.

Then got here the surprising name; some A listing swimmers opted out of the competitors, and I used to be invited to step in and characterize my nation on the nationwide workforce!

For weeks, I skilled lengthy and exhausting, I endured nightmares of competing in a 50-meter-long course pool. I needed to alter my schedule, prepare 3 times every week within the wee hours of the morning, eat much less carbs, go to the fitness center to construct muscle mass, title it I did all the things to prepare.

The fateful day got here, I used to be terrified, I requested to choose out, the swimming pool regarded extra intimidating in individual than within the photos.

But One of the mottos I reside by is: Do it Afraid! So, after we plunged in, I swam my coronary heart out. Whereas my teammates needed to wait a few seconds on the end line, I got here fourth in my age group and contributed 15 factors to Uganda’s total win!

The better part? I competed alongside my teenage kids aged 14 and 13 years outdated, who additionally registered nice private bests and extra importantly created lasting recollections.

After this competitors, I’m higher model of myself, actually a greater swimmer, a extra affected person mom and a extra resilient skilled.

The stars might or might not at all times align, and also you should not have to be excellent or the most effective at all the things. You merely have to indicate up and put your coronary heart within the ring, at all the things! Do it afraid!