Promising swimmers across the country are now vying for top honours in the National Junior Aquatic Championship which kick started at the spectacular state-of-the-art all weather indoor Biju Patnaik swimming pool inside Kalinga Stadium complex in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
As many as 853 swimmers from 30 states and Union Territories are locking horns in the five-day long mega competition to win national level medals. While 528 participants are taking part in various categories of the swimming competitions, 325 swimmers are participating in water polo.
Some of them also want to cement their places in the Indian team on the back of their stellar shows at the championship. Twenty participants including 12 boys and eight girls from the host State Odisha are also trying their luck in the event.
The galleries of the stadium are also choc-a-bloc as swimming buffs are turning in large numbers to witness the mega competition among future stars.
“I have participated in breaststroke, 200 IM and 50 fly events. I have entered the final round of the breaststroke event. I will try my best to win a medal by giving my best in the final,” said Manmatha Mishra a swimmer from Odisha.
I wish to represent my country in the Olympics in future. I also cherish the dream to break a couple of world record. This tournament is a good exposure for me to gain valuable experience,” said Jerdan Franclin, a swimmer from Telangana.
India has miserable performances in the swimming event of the Olympics so far. However, the swimmers of the country have done reasonably a good job in the Asian and other international swimming events.
In a bid to fine tune the subtle nuances of the swimmers across the country, Swimming Federation of India (SFI) is organising various competitions and coaching camps on a regular basis. As the sports capital of the country, Odisha has also stepped forward to join hands with SFI to develop swimming infrastructure in the State.
“We are giving international exposure to the senior and junior swimmers of the country on a regular basis. Odisha has joined hands with us in terms of building infrastructure and organizing mega competitions. Odisha swimmers will soon be found excelling in national and international level competitions,” said Monal Chokshi.
Notably, players will be selected for Khelo India Games on the basis of their performances in the five-day long competition.