Tanzania's swimmers have scooped nine medals in the Zone Three and Four Swimming Championships that ended yesterday in Nairobi, Kenya.

Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) secretary general Noel Kiunsi told The Citizen that the local lads won six silver and three bronze medals.

According to the official, the successes in the regional event reflect the standard of swimming in the country.

"We've come a long way, but now our efforts to take swimming to the highest level have started to pay off," Kiunsi said.

He said: "The sport has grown in leaps and bounds and we didn't expect them to cart home as many medals as such we really have a bright future."

The swimmers who won the medals are Gouri Koteka who won three silver medals and two bronze while Christian Dom scooped one bronze and three silver medals.

However, lucky was not on Olympian Khalid Rushaka side after failing to win a medal in the event, which was previously called the Sub-Saharan Invitational.

"It was very competitive and I couldn't make it, but I take it as a challenge for the forthcoming competitions," Rushaka said.

He added: "I'm impressed with how my compatriots performed, they put in sterling displays to win the medals."

Rushaka, who competed in 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, was among the 27 swimmers picked to represent the country in the tournament.

Kiunsi said the association was looking forward to promoting the sport in upcountry regions.

"Soon rather than later, swimming will be among the popular sports in many regions, I hope this will boost our chances of getting the best athletes for the looming international events,"he said.

The tournament comprised the swimmers from South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Burundi and Kenya.