Twenty three swimming referees are attending a three-day officiating course organised by the Federation of International Swimming Associations (FINA) at the International School of Tanganyika (IST) in Dar es Salaam.

The Tanzania Swimming Association’s (TSA) technical director, Marcelino Ngalioma, said FINA instructor Nottman Gerd is in charge of the Level One course for referees aimed at improving officiating skills.

He said the course will help his association preparations for CANA 2016 championship likely to be hosted in Tanzania.

Ngalioma said TSA had asked FINA to conduct the courses for the coaches and officials and the international body responded positively by dispatching the former German breaststroke swimmer   Gerd, who has been an instructor for over 20 years
 
 He also said those who would excel at the event stand a chance to win a place to officiate FINA recognised games

 “This clinic is very important for both referees and school teachers to make sure that they teach correct techniques on officiating and know the progressions.
 
“It will boost and upgrade the level of refereeing across the country. We have referees from Zanzibar, Shinyanga, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza, Morogoro and Dar es Salaam.

“This will help prepare swimmers for the 2016 CANA games.  When we host it is important so that we win some medals. Also we have a long term plan and training program as we are starting preparations for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil,” he said. 

He named the referees attending the course as Alex Mwali, Lingeswary Ramasamy Thauriaya Diria, Rahim Alidina, Stephano Kalengela, Khalid Rushaka, Lightness Shao, Kundi A Kundi, Juma A Juma and Kombo Makame.

Others are Omary M Omary, Sheha M Ally, Hassan Msheba, Salvatore Makaza, Ally Said, Hadija Kibinda, Donielle Wolf, Monika Barnes, Michael Matthias, Ayoub Nkuzi and Solomon David Mlaponi.  

The technical director also showered praises to Gerd, describing him as the best and a very understanding instructor.

He said TSA would prefer to have him as instructor at the advanced level clinic which his association plans to host late this year.
    
“May last year Gerd was here for ten days doing an Intermediate Level Clinic for coaches. During the clinic we realised that most coaches lack basic methodologies and knowledge about swimming strokes and technique.

“We have also wrote to FINA see if we can get an advanced level clinic late this year for coaches and referees,” said the TSA official.
 
“If FINA offers us the chance to host the advanced course, we would prefer the German instructor to come back as the coaches like him and his teaching style. He is keeping things simple and clear to all, with relevant examples and teaching aids. He is also taking coaches and teachers for practical every day,” he said.