Luanda - The Vice-President of the Republic, Esperança da Costa, was on the spotlight of the opening ceremony of the African Swimming Championships (AFCON'2024), taking place at the Alvalade Swimming Pool, in Luanda.
Esperança da Costa opened this 16th edition of the African event on behalf of the Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço.
In the VIP tribune of the biggest swimming complex in Angola, she was flanked by various government officials and the president of the African Swimming Confederation, Sam Ramsamy.
In her opening speech at the event, which is being held in the country for the first time, Vice President Esperança da Costa called on athletes in general to give their best and to observe the principle of fair play.
She said that the fact that Angola is hosting the competition reflected the state's commitment to developing sport and strengthening ties with African nations.
With regard to the national athletes, she emphasised that the nation was proud of them all, and presented the compliments of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço.
She also said it was time for the national team athletes to show what they were worth and to represent Angola with vigour and determination.
Encouraging the National Team
The Vice-President took seized the occasion to encourage the national athletes to give their best, considering that their presence at this event, in itself, "is a great moment, which should represent a victory".
"This is the moment to show your best and represent Angola with vigour and determination. May every stroke, every turn and every arrival at the finish line be a testimony to your talent and dedication," she emphasised,
For Esperança da Costa, sport demands dedication, commitment and discipline, and swimming is, in truth, a sport that demands as much discipline as it does technique and determination.
"And it is this combination that makes you high-performance athletes, imbued with a high level of commitment and discipline," she said, before reassuring that "the whole nation is proud of you".
She wished this African Swimming Championship to be a memorable occasion "for all of us" and full of moments of greatness and inspiration, without forgetting, of course, fair play, mutual respect and sportsmanship.
She thanked the African Swimming Confederation for entrusting Angola with the organisation of this continental event, whose scale in terms of the number of races and the number of countries and athletes taking part "reflects the diversity and richness of Africa".
Participating in this 16th African Swimming Championship are 42 countries and a total of 228 swimmers. JAD/MC/DAN/jmc
