Atiba inspires Monti parents and swimmers in sports forum

Dar es Salaam. In a ground breaking initiative that bridged elite athletic wisdom with grassroots community development, internationally acclaimed swim coach Atiba Wade, a former USA Olympic Trials qualifier and NCAA athlete, led an empowering session with the Monti International School community.

The event brought together parents, educators, and aspiring young swimmers in an inspiring forum focused on goal-setting, cultivating a growth mindset, and strengthening the critical role of parental involvement in sports.

The forum was spearheaded by Champion Rise Tanzania, in collaboration with Monti International School, RM, Colosseum Hotel & Fitness Club, and Shaaban Roberts School.

It formed part of a broader initiative to elevate swimming standards in Tanzania and included the International ASCA Coaches Certification Program, proudly sponsored by Monti International.

The certification aligns Tanzanian coaches with international coaching benchmarks and ensures the future of the sport is built on knowledge, discipline, and global best practices.

Mindset, mentorship, and parental impact

Coach Atiba brought more than just his impressive resume to the session—he brought a powerful message of unity, purpose, and belief in young athletes’ potential.

The forum specifically addressed how emotional and psychological factors shape a child’s journey in competitive sports.

According to Atiba, parental understanding of these unseen aspects can often make the difference between burnout and breakthrough. “It’s not just about training hard,” he said.

 “It’s about training smart. When parents understand the mindset needed for growth in sport, children feel more supported, more confident, and more willing to push past limits.”

He explained how young athletes often carry pressure and self-doubt, and that a nurturing support system at home can significantly improve their resilience, motivation, and performance.

By including parents in the development journey, Atiba believes that sport becomes not only an individual pursuit but a shared family value.

A vision turned reality at Monti International

The forum also marked a pivotal moment in Monti International School’s journey. As a Cambridge-certified institution offering Pre-Primary and Primary education, Monti has steadily evolved into a model for holistic child development in Tanzania.

The school used the occasion to unveil its plans for constructing a 25-meter swimming pool at its Rose Garden Road campus, a move that cements its long-term commitment to building world-class sports infrastructure.

Additionally, through the ASCA program, Monti has invested in training its coaches and administrators, ensuring that its sports philosophy is not only aspirational but also technically and structurally aligned with international standards.

“We are truly grateful to Amina Mfaume for turning this vision into reality,” said Fatma Fernandes, Head of Monti International School.

 “Bringing someone of Coach Atiba’s calibre to Tanzania has been a game-changer for our community. At Monti, we nurture the whole child—mind, body, and spirit.

Hosting Coach Atiba alongside our parents reflects our deep commitment not only to academic excellence but also to world-class sports development.”

Fernandes added that events like these symbolize Monti’s broader educational mission: to create an environment where every child is empowered to dream big, grow with confidence, and embrace both local culture and global opportunity. 

 “This event exemplifies the forward-thinking mindset and global exposure we strive to provide every Monti child,” she continued.

“We are proud to build a school where parents are partners, coaches are certified to the highest standards, and each student is encouraged to pursue excellence—on every front.”

 The Role of Champion Rise Tanzania

At the heart of this initiative is Champion Rise Tanzania, an organization founded by Amina Mfaume to bridge the gap between local talent and international opportunity.

For Amina, bringing Coach Atiba to Tanzania wasn’t just about coaching—it was about belief. 

“My goal is to expose Tanzanian children and coaches to global excellence,” said Mfaume. 

“Bringing Coach Atiba here was about showing what’s possible when we invest in our children’s potential. This is about raising the bar, not just for sport, but for how we raise a generation of disciplined, driven, and empowered young people.”

Champion Rise continues to work closely with schools, local clubs, and international partners to elevate sports education and access in Tanzania.

The inclusion of parents in this forum was intentional, Amina said, because sustainable athletic success starts with family understanding and encouragement.

Empowerment in and beyond the pool

The forum’s impact was tangible and deeply felt. Monti’s young swimmers learned not just about technique or performance—but about setting personal goals, building habits, and believing in their own ability to grow.

Parents left the session with practical tools, mindset shifts, and a greater appreciation of the role they play in their child’s sporting journey.

The experience became a shared moment of transformation—where the pool became more than water; it became a platform for dreams, discipline, and determination.

 As Monti International School continues to invest in both academic and extracurricular excellence, initiatives like this reaffirm its role as a pioneering institution committed to raising confident, well-rounded global citizens—one lap at a time.