Monday 2nd July 2018 – Centenary Bank, Uganda’s leading commercial microfinance Bank, has today announced a UGX40 million sponsorship of the Seals Swim Club gala scheduled to take place from 5th – 8th July, 2018 at Kampala Parent’s School, Naguru. Centenary Bank’s 2018 sponsorship announced by the Bank’s Chief Manager Business Growth Mr. Micheal Jjingo during the official launch of the gala.
Since the gala’s inauguration in 2015, Centenary Bank has supported it to a tune of UGX160 million. The gala is part of the club’s annual initiative of growing the sport of swimming in Uganda through the running of swim meets. This year the gala will be held under the theme: “Bigger, Better, Faster”, since it propagates with each edition.
“At Centenary Bank, we are passionate about youth empowerment, not because they form the bulk of the nation’s population, but they are the most productive. With them participating in various activities like this, it gives us hope of where our country is heading; prosperity” Jjingo said, adding that “We want to see a youthful society that contributes to the development of the country. One of the national concerns today is the increasing unemployment levels among the youth in the country. Our role as a bank and as a community, in general, is to guide the youth in identifying their potential and facilitate their growth. Sport is one such avenue that we believe can be a pillar for the youth to live off and for the country to reap economic benefits.
Speaking at the event, the Club Chairperson, Mr. Tefiro Serunjogi said, “This year’s gala shall build on the gains made over the previous three years by pushing swimmers to give their best in every event.”
He further explained that, the Seals Invitational and League editions over the last three and half years have spurred the growth of numerous new clubs in Uganda and efforts are being made to ensure this trend continues.
Seals swim club won last year’s edition with 1,101 points. Dolphins swim club came a close second with 1,094 and Makerere University Swim Team was third with 150 points.
In Uganda, Baseline, Dolphins, Gliders, Makerere University, Seagulls swim club, Sailfish swim club and Seals swim club Kampala the host, have confirmed attendance. As usual, a good number of independent entries are expected. Additionally, Kenya, Aga Khan High School Nairobi, USIU from Nairobi, and PIPSA – Kenya have confirmed their attendance.
The gala shall use a 25-metre swimming pool and events shall be swum in age groups starting with under 11-12, 13-14, 15 & over. This gala uses a heats and finals format for the events. Therefore each morning starting at 8:30 AM, the swimmers shall participate in heats for the various events and the top 6 swimmers for each event per age category and two reserves shall then participate in the finals every afternoon starting at 2:30 PM.
A medal ceremony shall be held each afternoon to award the day’s winners. The trophies and final age group winners’ trophies shall be awarded at the end of day on Sunday 8 July 2018.
