Swimmer Dunford bags Fina position
Kenya’s leading swimmer Jason Dunford has been appointed member of the world swimming federation (Fina) athlete commission.
Dunford, who has represented Kenya at both the Olympics and World Championships is the best swimmer ever to have come from Kenya and the appointment on Tuesday during the Fina Congress in Barcelona, Spain is in recognition of his achievements. Dunford is one of the best swimmers in Africa having won over 10 medals in the Africa Swimming championships.
It is the first time a Kenyan swimmer is getting recognition from the world body according the Kenya Swimming Federation Public Relations Officer Winnie Kamau.
KSF chairman Benjamin Ekumbo, who is also the secretary general of Africa Swimming Federation (CANA), was re-elected as Fina Bureau member.
There were other appointments for Kenyans with Njeri Onyango being named in the disciplinary commission while David Ngugi, who is the secretary general of Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association, was appointed to the Fina Open water commission. Ngugi is also the vice chairman CANA Open water commission. Zak Musembi, who is a member of CANA Technical committee, was appointed as a member of the Fina Coaches Commission.
Kamau said it was a big honour for the Kenyans to be appointed in the committee which is a sign that Kenyan swimming is growing.
“It’s the first time that we have had more than one Kenyan in the committees. We are confident they will be our good ambassadors,” observed Kamau.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Emily Muteti failed to make it to the semi-finals of the world championships.
Muteti swam the 100m butterfly and improved her time by two seconds with a time of 1.07.05 but finished in the 48th position over all.
Kenyan competiting at the championships are Hamda Bayusuf, who is swimming in the 50m and 100m backstroke, Sylvia Brunlehner, who is swimming 50 and 100 freestyle and Muteti.
