SFI to restrict participation

By Kalyan Ashok

BANGALORE, JUNE 4. In a bid to encourage swimmers to seek specialisation and check the total domination of all events by a few, the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) has decided to change the rules governing the events.

The new rule will restrict swimmers from participating in more than four events in a championship in Group I and II and three events in Group III.

Unlike in the past, a junior or sub-junior swimmer cannot take part in as many events as he or she wishes. The restrictions will be effective from the next junior and sub- junior National championships, scheduled to be held in Panaji from July 1 to 6.

The SFI Secretary-General, Mr. Virendra Nanavati, in a telephonic conversation with The Hindu from Ahmedabad, welcomed the change and said that the Swimming Federation of India's decision to implement the rules, was a positive development.

``This will encourage larger participation and SFI will also do away with the individual championships, which was based on points accrued by a swimmer in each event, instead we will select the `best swimmer' of the meet,'' he said.

The SFI decision to restrict participation in junior events, was welcomed by coaches Mr. S. Pradeep Kumar and Nihar Amin. Pradeep Kumar said, ``basically it gives the youngsters an option to concentrate on their pet events and improve in them, instead of trying everything.''

Nihar Amin felt that with the new rules one might see a lot of new faces instead of an entire meet being dominated by a couple of swimmers.

The Bangalore-based Indian women's ace, Nisha Millet also welcomed the new rules as it would help unearth more talent.

Mr. Nanavati said the SFI planned to send a squad, subject to Government clearance, to the World championships in Fukuoka, Japan from July 16.

``We will look at the overall performances in the last as well as current season as yardstick for the selection of the swimmers for this meet and other international events, including the Afro- Asian Games, SAF Games and the Asia-Pacific championship,'' he said. He also said that it was premature to discuss the composition of the teams for the meets.

Mr. Nanavati also said that Mr. K.V. Sharma would remain as National coach. ``As far as the SFI is concerned there is no change of coach, despite media speculations,'' he added.

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