JENNIFER Tamani is calling on her peers to learn how to swim.
The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Primary School student was named the school’s sportswoman of the year this week.
She won five gold medals and one silver during the Short Course Regional Championship last month.
Tamani, who is from Naloto Village, Verata in Tailevu, said she learned swimming in four months.
“I wasn’t expecting to win any medal, but I am humbled and grateful that hard work has paid off for me and also to receive this award is an icing on the cake,” she said.
“I wanted to learn swimming because in the future if I come across a situation where somebody’s life is at stake like drowning, I would be able to know what to do to save that person.
“I am thankful to my coach Jennifer Lieu and director David William Kurt for believing in me. I know they were shocked to see me win during the three days.
“My plan now is to continue improving my swimming skills, compete in more local tournaments and hopefully one day I can represent my country in a Pacific Games.”
She is 12 years old and is a member of the Babale Swimming Club.
“I was scared when I started swimming, but deep down inside me I knew that I was destined to be there and I thank God for giving me the strength and opportunity.”
Her father, Viliame Tamani, is encouraging parents and teachers to get their children to learn how to swim to avoid and drowning incident in the future.
