2 years on, Panjab University pool reopens for pro swimmers

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 21

After a long wait of two years, Panjab University has finally opened its doors to national and international swimmers, allowing them to prepare for the Senior Aquatics National Championship, scheduled to be held in Bengaluru from October 25-28.

The 25m all-weather indoor pool at the PU, which was shut due to Covid-19 pandemic, is one of the best training centres.

Besides the national aquatics championship, the swimmers are also preparing for the upcoming inter-college championship and yet to be schedule All-India Inter-University Championship.

“The swimmers have started preparing for the next month’s championship. The centre was shut due to the pandemic. However, since it has been open, all the swimmers have been strictly told to abide by the Covid protocols,” said Gurcharan Singh, senior swimming coach.

“Limited numbers of swimmers are allowed to use a single lane and even washrooms are getting sanitised every hour. The swimmers are prohibited from sharing kits or equipment. One of the main advantages is that all our swimmers have already been administered at least one dose of vaccine,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Sports is likely to host inter-college competitions for swimming, water polo and diving (men and women) in the first week of October.

“We are likely to organise the inter-college events in October. So, this is a positive sign for the swimmers. It’s been over two years that they have not participated in any championships. We have already started receiving entries and plans will be rolled-out soon,” said an official.

For over 14 months, Panjab University did not conduct any inter-college championship owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Two swimming coaches have been appointed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for training under the Khelo India programme.

“I think we have very little time left to prepare for the championships. With no facility for practice in Chandigarh, we had to explore other options. Some of us even went to Bengaluru for practise. The opening of the swimming pool at PU will definitely be helpful,” said a swimmer.

Officials maintained that the pool had been opened for the senior level competitors only.

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