The Hindu : SFI to introduce National short course championship

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 16, 2002

Sport

Sport - Swimming

SFI to introduce National short course championship

By Kalyan Ashok

The SFI secretary-general, Virendra Nanavati, outlines plans for the year ahead in an interview with The Hindu in Bangalore on Monday. — Photo: G.P. Sampath Kumar

BANGALORE July 15. With a hectic season underway, the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) has set the Asian Games as a benchmark for the Indian swimmers. The continuous National camp, which has been in progress in New Delhi since April, is expected to pay good dividends. Well! that's what the Secretary-General of SFI, Virendra Nanavati, hopes for the year.

Mr. Nanavati, who was in Bangalore for the National sub-junior aquatics championship, spoke to The Hindu about the challenges facing the swimming fraternity and SFI's plans.

"I guess the 2002 calendar is one of the tightest that we have had in recent years. We have already finished the National junior and sub-junior championship and we are sending the team to the Asian age group championship (August 24 to 26) in China. After that we have the senior National championship at Thrissur (September 10 to 15). Later, we have to send a team to the Asian Games at Busan (September 29 to October 14). Later, we have the National Games in Hyderabad from October 15 to 25, so till the year-end, it is going to be a very busy season,'' he said.

Given the level of competition at the Asian Games, SFI plans to send six swimmers and maybe two divers, though the final list is not yet ready. "Provisionally we have submitted some names, because we have to send the entries by August-end. The criterion for selection we have recommended is the sixth place at the last Asian Games. We want to give maximum opportunity as regards to selection and the selection process will continue for some more time,'' said Mr. Nanavati.

The SFI conducted selection trails for open section events of the Asian age group meet at Bangalore, which saw a few like Reshma Millet (50m freestyle) and K. Chitra (200m freestyle) making the mark. There will be another trial at Delhi, before the SFI names the team.

The National camp for the Asian Games did run into few problems. First was the academics sessions, which affected the majority of swimmers who were students. "They had examinations in April and later admissions to new classes. Those who were not based in Delhi faced difficulty in attending the camp. So, we have allowed them to train in their own places like Bangalore and Chennai. But they have to be in Delhi for the final phase of the camp and for processing other formalities,'' said Mr. Nanavati.

The other hurdle that came in SFI's way was the intriguing return of the Hungarian coach, Kovacs, to Hungary. The coach went home before the junior Nationals at Chennai and has not reported back since. The SFI seems to be resigned to the fact that he may not return at all.

"We have informed the Government about it and the Government is trying to find out from him whether he wants to come back or not. We have asked them to make alternative arrangements if he doesn't get back, or allow us to carry on the programme that's in place for the camp,'' said Mr. Nanavati.

He said that in no way the absence of the coach had affected the camp. "Mr. K.V. Sharma, the National coach, is very much in control and everything is going as per schedule,'' he said.

The SFI will introduce a National short course championship from this year. It will be held in December at Mandya. "We want to make this a regular feature of our calendar and rules are being made and circulated to all units for that purpose,'' he said.

Also, a seminar for referees of the Asian region will be conducted under FINA from October 21 to 25 in Bangalore, he said.

In 1998-99, SFI conducted a separate junior National diving championship in Goa, but later scrapped the event. "We had no alternative. The public response for a separate National was poor and not many units were coming forward to conduct it either, hence we have merged it again with the sub-junior championship and conduct the junior water polo with the junior Nationals,'' said Mr. Nanavati.

The SFI, whenever possible, will send a talented swimmer for the World Championship purely for exposure. "At the World level, our swimmers may not really measure up, but it will be good exposure for them if they compete with the best. So, we intend sending the best talent available for such meets,'' he said.

The SFI is also working to create a drug-free environment in aquatics. "FINA (the world body) is very tough on the issue. We too want our swimmers to perform on the basis of good stamina, strength and talent and we are against any drug-induced effort. We are constantly checking the campers also. But I feel, drug is an issue which should not be use to terrorise the swimmers. We have to educate them. Another problem we face is the limited resources to do all the testing and lack of adequate testing facilities in the country,'' Mr. Nanavati said.

Swimmers don't figure high on the list of Arjuna awardees, but SFI official felt that with so many agencies and individuals in getting into the act, the swimmers chances get affected. "I would rather see SFI having a bigger role in it. Now even an MP can recommend for the Arjuna Award, I wish the recommendations are routed through the SFI and we can give a correct picture of a swimmer's merit,'' he said.

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