SA swimming boss Alan Fritz plans to meet with sports minister urgently to discuss funding

Fritz emphasized the necessity of approximately R6 million in funding to procure two new generators essential for heating the pool at a centralized venue, where elite swimmers will train for the impending Olympics set for July/August in Paris. 

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Fritz and his board are focused on communicating their challenges and urgent needs, one of which includes securing an exemption for a swimming pool facility at the University of Pretoria.

''We have two weeks to do that, to speak to our Minister of Sport and ask him to speak to the electricity minister, even the president. As a federation if we don't have capacity or capabilities around us, it is a recipe for disaster,'' said Fritz. 

Fritz must devise solutions to address the challenges currently confronting the federations, which includes collaboration with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and engaging with Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa for immediate intervention.

''The plan, look - it is a problem for us but there are two solutions to the problem because it will require about R6 000 000 investment, in making sure that there is consistent power supply. 

''We first need to meet with officials at Eskom to examine the two swimming pools at the University of Pretoria, and the second one - we need to get money for the two generators and have them on the premises,'' he added. 

The nation depends on swimming to secure medals at the Olympic Games, yet the federation boss declined to speculate on the potential medal count they might achieve.

''Look it is very difficult to make a prediction, but I am hopeful that we will bring at least some kind of a silver medal.

''But you can't ignore Tatjana , you can’t ignore Pieter and Mathew, not only them - at least six of these athletes should make the country proud, in terms of being able to achieve,'' he concluded.

Mixed feelings prevail as Team SA managed to secure only one medal, a bronze, won by Pieter Coetze in the men’s 200m backstroke event at the recently concluded World Aquatics Championships in Doha.

 Fritz is urging the nation to unite in support of the swimming team as they prepare for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.