GH Dolphins in Germany for Schwimmfest

Ghana's most dominant swimming club, the Ghana (GH) Dolphins, are set to test their skills against the best swimmers in the world when the 44th International Schwimmfest gets underway today in Arnsberg, Germany.

An eight-man GH Dolphins delegation, led by Team Manager, Abbiw Jackson and Head Coach, Jonathan Amoako, arrived in Germany last Wednesday and started physical exercises and swim training just a day later with the hope of acclimatising to the weather.

According to Mr Jackson, two members of his young team were delayed in Accra as a result of visa issues, leaving him with only three eligible swimmers for the club-based age categorised competition.

"So far, only the only three swimmers in camp and training are my sons; Abeiku Jackson, Kwasi Abbiw Jackson and Ekow Jackson, the other two were delayed because of visa issues," Mr Jackson told the Daily Graphic in an interview from the team's training base in Arnsberg Germany.

"We are hopeful that in time we will be joined by another GH Dolphin, Albert Opare Larbi who re-located to Germany a few years ago."

He also disclosed that Kwasi,17, had recovered from an ankle injury that ruled him out of the GH Dolphins (GHD) Invitational Meet held at the Ghana Armed Forces Leisure Centre on May 9 in Accra.

Mr Jackson added that the Dolphins captained by 2014 Commonwealth Games participant and national record holder, Abeiku Jackson had set the ambitious target of one of their swimmers finishing among the top three best swimmers when the competition comes to an end on Sunday.

He also noted that the tournament was a fertile preparation ground for Abeiku ahead of the FINA World Championships slated for July 24 in Kazan, Russia, which serves as a qualifier for the 2016 Olympic Games.