Pune: Swimming Federation of India (SFI), the governing body of swimming in the country announced the 32nd Sub Junior & 42nd Junior Glenmark National Aquatic Championships – 2015. The championships will be organized at the state-of-the-art swimming facility at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune from 13th to 19th July, 2015.
Over 1400 participants representing 28 states from across India are expected to take part in the disciplines of Swimming, Diving and Water Polo in the Sub-Junior (Under 12) and Junior (Under 18) age groups. These championships will also act as the selection trials for the 8th Asian Age Group Swimming Championships to be held in Bangkok later this year.
Announcing the Championships, Kamlesh Nanavati, General Secretary – SFI said “The SFI is proud to organize the 32nd Sub Junior & 42nd Junior Glenmark National Aquatic Championships in a world-class facility like Balewadi with the support of Glenmark Aquatic Foundation. This is a very important swimming event as it will serve as a forum for identifying future international medal winning prospects from our country. He further added “Swimming has one of the highest medals winning potential in international events like the Olympics, Asian Games or Common Wealth Games”.
Anand Desai, President – Glenmark Aquatic Foundation observed”Our objective is to help transform the eco system of swimming in our country and to put India on the global swimming map. From this standpoint, the Sub Junior and Junior Nationals are extremely critical as talent needs time to blossom and these age group swimmers have time on their side. Let’s hope that we get a few future Olympic medal winners from these boys and girls who will be seen in action in Balewadi, Pune shortly”. He also informed “From the 2015 Championships onwards, we are introducing a special scheme of motivational awards and scholarship grants to encourage and reward prospective swimmers and their coaches based on Swimming Techniques and Time Standards.”
Abhay Dadhe, President – Maharashtra State Amateur Aquatic Association said “This year we are going to conduct the Sub Junior & Junior National Championships at the same time because the Balewadi facility has the required infrastructure to support it. Also, as we are conducting the championships over seven days, the players will get adequate rest in between the different races.”
The announcement Press Conference was also attended by Indian supermodel, actor, and film producer – Milind Soman, who also has the distinction of winning the national swimming title for four years in row. Milind highlighted the positive role of swimming in his life and career and about the benefit of this sport at large. He also stressed on the need of identifying and encouraging talent at an early age so that our swimmers are able to excel on the global stage.
The Opening Ceremony will be organized on the 13th July; while the Closing & Final Prize Distribution Ceremony will be held on the 19th July at the BalewadiStadium.
Around 100 races, held under FINA rules, will be swum over seven days of these championships. Close to 300 medals are at stake for the athletes in Swimming, Diving and Water Polo events. The host state – Maharashtra along with Karnataka, the two powerhouses in Indian aquatics will bring the largest contingents of over 120 athletes each. There is also a grand trophy for the state winning the maximum points.
SFI & Glenmark Aquatic Foundation alsojointly announced a first of its kind, ‘Glenmark Swim Technique Awards – 2015’, which will reward not only talented swimmers but also his or her respective coaches. 40 athletes (and their coaches) in various age groups for girls and boys will be presented the ‘Glenmark Swim Technique Awards’ which will be adjudicated by an expert panel. In addition, starting from these Championships, Glenmark Aquatic Foundation will also award up to 10 scholarships to young age group swimmers who have the potential for future excellence.
About Swimming Federation of India
The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) is the central governing body for promotion and administration of swimming sport in India. The SFI is affiliated to FINA, the world governing body for the sport.