Kakinada: Aspirants for various swimming competitions in East Godavari are in distress because the pool run by the District Sports Authority remained closed for the past six months.
Authorities closed the swimming pool about six months back saying that it needed repairs. The work was started and completed around three months back but the pool has not been opened so far.
According to sources, the swimming pool was started on the DSA grounds in 2006 where a coach, I. Raju, with National Institute of Sports qualification, was appointed. Nearly 100 swimmers with hopes of participating in such events, used to get training in the pool. Their efforts managed to see that four national swimming players and 12 state level swimming players were groomed.
By the time the players began striving with their swimming efforts and aiming to to achieve their goal of securing gold or silver medals at national and state level competitions, the swimming pool was closed. Their hopes have been belied. Due to some conditions imposed on the coach by the sports authority officials, the coach did not agree to rejoin the swimming pool. The officials, apparently, have been paying meagre salary which was not sufficient for swimming qualified swimming coaches.
There are several swimming pools in the district being run by private institutions like clubs, educational institutions and others. But the sports authority ground swimming pool is the only one being run by the government. Coaches like Mr Raju have gone on to make talented persons as national and international level swimming players. The government, however, reportedly has not encourage them or pay adequate attention on the game.
Any swimming player intending to become a national or international player should, it is said, not be disturbed. He should not give up the practice at any cost. But, due to negligence of officials in this case, the dreams of many talented pool players are being shattered.
"If we want to make a good player in any field like swimming, the coach and the player will have to do some hard work by spending time and also education. But, if the sport is neglected, the player's future can be ruined and their dreams would be broken," said a swimming coach.
He said that the governments should encourage the sports with dedication by releasing funds liberally and then they can get the image for the state or country through the sport.
The swimming players appealed the government should reopen the swimming pool with all facilities and appoint good coaches for it.
Aspirants for various swimming competitions in East Godavari are in distress because the pool run by the District Sports Authority remained closed for the past six months.
Authorities closed the swimming pool about six months back saying that it needed repairs. The work was started and completed around three months back but the pool has not been opened so far.
According to sources, the swimming pool was started on the DSA grounds in 2006 where a coach, I. Raju, with National Institute of Sports qualification, was appointed. Nearly 100 swimmers with hopes of participating in such events, used to get training in the pool. Their efforts managed to see that four national swimming players and 12 state level swimming players were groomed.
By the time the players began striving with their swimming efforts and aiming to to achieve their goal of securing gold or silver medals at national and state level competitions, the swimming pool was closed. Their hopes have been belied. Due to some conditions imposed on the coach by the sports authority officials, the coach did not agree to rejoin the swimming pool. The officials, apparently, have been paying meagre salary which was not sufficient for swimming qualified swimming coaches.
There are several swimming pools in the district being run by private institutions like clubs, educational institutions and others. But the sports authority ground swimming pool is the only one being run by the government. Coaches like Mr Raju have gone on to make talented persons as national and international level swimming players. The government, however, reportedly has not encourage them or pay adequate attention on the game.
Any swimming player intending to become a national or international player should, it is said, not be disturbed. He should not give up the practice at any cost. But, due to negligence of officials in this case, the dreams of many talented pool players are being shattered.
"If we want to make a good player in any field like swimming, the coach and the player will have to do some hard work by spending time and also education. But, if the sport is neglected, the player's future can be ruined and their dreams would be broken," said a swimming coach.
He said that the governments should encourage the sports with dedication by releasing funds liberally and then they can get the image for the state or country through the sport.
The swimming players appealed the government should reopen the swimming pool with all facilities and appoint good coaches for it.
