Swimmers excited as Chandigarh gears up to open pool

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1

After the MHA approved opening of swimming pools for pro swimmers, the fraternity heaved a sigh of relief. However, the UT Sports Department may take some time to open the facility due to technical reasons.

Only one swimming pool — all-weather pool in Sector 23 — is expected to be open for trainees considering the changing weather. The facility has been shut since the implementation of the lockdown and the department is likely to follow an e-tendering process for choosing a contractor for carrying out the repair work, cleaning and maintenance work before opening the pool.

“The facility may open next month. In addition to the technical work, following SOPs will be important. The Ministry of Sports will release SOPs before October 15, we have to see how it goes,” said an official of the sports department.

Meanwhile, swimmers are both excited and worried. “It’s great that we can finally train and get back in shape. It will take us four to five months to regain endurance,” said international swimmer Chahat Arora, who represents Punjab and Chandigarh in competitions. She added: “I hope that swimming pools are well-sanitised and wearing a mask is mandatory at the pool deck. Only 10 to 12 swimmers should be allowed in one slot to avoid overcrowding. Time slots should be extended and a minimum number of swimmers should be allowed to use lanes,” said Chahat.

Pool at PU

Panjab University is another place with an all-weather pool in the city. However, it is restricted for the use by campus swimmers. “This session, it will open the pool only for competitors. We will abide by all guidelines, including those of the UT Administration. Some inter-college tournaments are already planned. So, we have to prepare our swimmers. The cleaning work is likely to start tomorrow,” said Dr Parminder Singh, Director Sports (PU).

Gurcharan Singh Dhaliwal, PU winning coach, said no competitor would be allowed to take pre-practice and post-practice bath and there will be separate entry and exit points.

Three pools in Mohali

Three swimming pools — two outsourced by GMADA and one under the Sports Department — are likely to open to public. Another pool in Mohali has been under repair for the past many years. “The decision will definitely help our swimmers regain momentum in winters, which is mostly a low-competitive period,” said Parbhat Sharma, General Secretary, Mohali Swimming Association.