Sector 78 pool shut after coaches go on leave

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 17

The swimming pool at the Sector 78 Sports Complex here has been shut for the members as both the coaches at the centre have gone on leave. 

While the professional swimmers are allowed to practice during the morning hours, the pool remains inaccessible to the amateurs. The pool was shut on June 11 and will remain closed till June 25. 

“One of our coaches is on ex-India leave and the other one is on paternity leave. The trainees are allowed to practice at the pool, but it has been shut for amateurs and beginners keeping in mind the risk to their lives,” said Surjit Singh, District Sports Officer (DSO), Mohali. 

He pointed that they lacked manpower and it was difficult to run the centre in the absence of coaches and a lifeguard. “Now that our coaches are on leave and there is no lifeguard at the centre, we are forced to give limited access to the pool. It cannot be open to all,” said the DSO. 

The officer further said: “The coaches need to concentrate more on nurturing professional swimmers rather than focusing on entertaining members and newcomers.” 

“We have been waiting for the opening of the Sector 63 swimming pool. Once it opens, all the professional swimmers will be shifted there. This pool (Sector 78) will be limited to amateurs and newcomers only,” he added.

According to sources, the Punjab Sports Department had initiated the process to recruit lifeguards for the swimming pools in Mohali in March but no development has been made in this regard till now. 

“In the absence of sufficient manpower we cannot throw open the pool to the general public. All the requirements have been submitted to the authorities concerned but the delay in completing the process has eventually forced us to shut the pool for the public use,” said a source in the Punjab Sports Department. 

Pertinently, the trainees have been accommodated in other centres. “The coaches have genuine reasons to remain on leave and we are not complaining about it. One of the coaches has arranged practice hours for our wards at a different centre,” the father of one of the trainees said on the condition of anonymity.    

“It is crucial time for our wards as the National championship is starting from June 20 in Gujarat. As far as the members’ interest is concerned, the Punjab Sports Department should appoint adequate manpower to manage the leisure activities at the centre,” he said.