Swimming Federation of India announces “Swimmathon 2015” at Colva Beach, Goa
Swimming Federation of India announces
“Swimmathon 2015” at Colva Beach, Goa on
29th November 2015, receives overwhelming support from Goa Tourism
India’s most celebrated swimmer – Virdhawal
Khade is the Brand Ambassador.
Goa Tourism announces official
support to India’s premier swimming event Swimmathon
2015 scheduled to be hosted on 29th November 2015 at Colva Beach,
Goa. Swimmathon 2015 is also officially recognised by Swimming Federation of India (SFI) as the official
Indian National Selection Trial for an International Event. The formal
announcement of Goa tourism supporting Swimmathon 2015 was made by Mr.
Nilesh Cabral, Chairman Goa Tourism Development Corporation and Ashish
Agarwal, Managing Director – Square Off Sports Pvt. Ltd. The event also saw
the presence of prominent personalities like
Mr. Nikhil Desai, Managing Director – Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Mr.
Vinay Borkar, Vice President, Goa Swimming Association & Mr. Rajesh Gupta,
Executive Director – Square Off Sports
Lending added credibility and
athletic prowess to the event, Virdhawal
Khade India’s most accomplished and celebrated swimmer, has been roped in
as Brand Ambassador for the Swimmathon
2015. An Arjuna Awardee, Vir holds
the distinction of being the youngest Indian to qualify for the Olympics. With Vir’s eyes firmly fixed on the Olympics
this year, organizers are delighted that the poster boy for Indian swimming has
made time to encourage swimmers and promote the sport further. Adding another
dash of excitement to the event, Talasha
Prabhu, Goa’s Champion swimmer, has been roped in as the Female Brand
Ambassador for “Swimmathon 2015”. An
International Ace Swimmer, Talasha holds
the distinction of having participated in various National & International
Championships. She was the only Goan Swimmer to be selected for the Indian
squad in the Common Wealth Games New Delhi in 2010.
The recognition of “Swimmathon 2015”
by Swimming Federation of India (SFI) as the official national selection trial for
open water swimming for International event has opened doors for Indian Open
Water Swimmers with the fastest swimmer - Male & Female in both 5 KM &
10 KM race representing India in an International Event. The winners of last
edition of Swimmathon qualified to represent India in the FINA World
Championship held at Russia in July 2015.
Mr. Ashish Agarwal, Managing Director - Square Off Sports said, “India has been enriched by some
exceptional sports personalities who have taken the world by storm. Such
talented people have been fortunate to have been discovered at the right moment
and their talent have been nurtured, lifting them out of obscurity into
International Limelight. Given India’s geographical magnitude of the country,
one can only imagine the talent that seems out of sight and waiting to be
discovered. As organisers, we would like to see Swimmathon as one of those
platforms which can become a pedestal to the international arena. We
thank Swimming Federation of India (SFI) for their support &
recognizing the race as the official selection trial where the winners of
Swimmathon 2015 in the 10K and 5K category get automatic entry into the Indian
team for International Open Water Races. True to its vision, Square Off Sports
in association with Swimming Federation Of India has provided swimmers across
the country a platform wherein they can showcase their talent and get due
recognition & rewards. We would also like to thank Goa Tourism and our sponsors
Central Bank of India, Finis, Black Panther, Kenilworth, Manipal Hospitals
among others for their support & association.”
With the Open Water Swimming now
included in the list of sporting events for the Olympics, Swimmathon 2015, aims to encourage more swimmers to take up
open-water swimming. With 19 categories of participants including one for
differently abled athletes, organisers expect a significant interest in the
event. Last edition of Swimmathon saw close to 600 participants, from across
the country participating in various categories. This year promises an even
better turnout. The aim of “Swimmathon” is to develop Open Water Swimming as a
sport in India as well as to recognize the real talent from across the nation.
Association of “Swimmathon 2015” with SFI will create a perfect competent breed
of International level Swimmers. Swimmathon does not only identify
International level swimmers but also tries to nurture them every year. Open
water swimming poses unique challenges to the swimmers as there are no lane
lines, walls or starting blocks to dictate what it takes to win. Unpredictable
natural conditions often play a deciding role in determining the winner of such
a race.
Ecstatic on the association
between Swimming Federation of India and Swimmathon 2015, Mr. Pradeep Kumar, National Coach, Swimming Federation of India said,
“We are happy to recognise ‘Swimmathon’ conducted by Square Off Sports,
which has deep expertise in conducting events of this nature. I have seen this
property evolve over the last few years. Till last year, this event was hosted
in Mumbai at Gateway of India. This year it is hosted in Goa and has transpired
into a bigger and better property due to the consistent efforts that the organizing
team has put in nurturing this event. ‘Swimmathon 2015’ is a stepping stone for
the Indian open water swimmers to become an International level sports
personality and represent India at International races. I am positive that
‘Swimmathon 2015’ is a great initiative that will help Open Water Swimming
emerge as a serious sport in India and provide opportunities to all the
aspiring swimmers. Swimming Federation Of India hopes to tie up with Square Off
Sports and make this an annual event and together facilitate more such
platforms to produce swimming / sporting icons in our country”
India’s most accomplished swimmer, Arjuna Awardee, and
Asian Games medallist, Mr.
Virdhawal Vikram Khade said, “Today’s generation of swimmers are really
lucky where they are getting platforms like “Swimmathon 2015” to showcase their
talent. You can compete with International Swimmers and most importantly you
can proudly represent India in FINA World Championship 2015. Swimming is not
only a sport but it also helps you to keep your heart healthy, stress out your
body, build muscle strength and helps you to maintain a healthy weight, healthy
heart and healthy mind.
Goa Tourism Development Corporation
(GTDC), Government of Goa, has been working hard in promoting Goa as a round
the year tourist destination. A
"Tourist Paradise" and "Pearl of the Orient", the state of
Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul that goes deep into
unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that
India has to offer. The destination is also known for water sports and
‘Swimmathon’ is expected to be an added tourist attraction in the coming years.
Ecstatic on providing support to
Swimmathon 2015, Mr. Nilesh Cabral,
Chairman – Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), said,
"Swimmathon 2015 is set to happen in Goa on November 29th and
Goa Tourism welcomes the idea that India’s premier open water swimming race is happening
at Colva, one of the most popular beaches along the State’s coastline. This is
a mega event for Goa and Goa Tourism is proud to be associated with it, as it will
bring swimmers from across the country. Our local Goan sportspersons will also
get an opportunity to compete and possibly even make it to the international
event. We hope that this event becomes an annual feature and even one that
figures in our calendar of events drawing more participants from all over the
world, country and State."
Added Mr. Nikhil Desai, Managing Director Goa Tourism Development
Corporation, "It is a delight that ‘Swimmathon 2015’ is being held in
Goa where water sports and adventure is one of the key facets of Goa Tourism
and attracts lakhs of tourists to the State. India and Goa both have national
and international medal winning swimmers, talented sports persons in aqua
sports and Swimmathon is an excellent opportunity for them to shine and make
their way to an international platform. We congratulate the organizers and all
supporting agencies for the Swimmathon open water race and wish all the
contestants the very best."
To enhance the safety of participants, the
organisers have engaged professional lifeguard services. For cases where
immediate attention might be needed, they have arranged for the involvement of
lifeguard with hi-speed Gemini boats, swimming experts to accompany each
category, and availability of jet-skis. They will also help Swimmathon with
audit and risk assessment, planning, and deployment solutions to address any
emergencies during the event. The organisers have also tied up with Manipal Hospital to provide us with complete
medical and ambulance facilities on site and complete first aid & medical
facilities on accompanying boats.
The categories for competition are as follows:
·
10K Swimmathon
o
14+ Boys & Girls
·
5K Swimmathon
o
14+ Boys & Girls
o
35+ Men & Women
·
1K Swimmathon
o
10-11 Boys & Girls
o
12-13 Boys & Girls
o
14+ Men & Women
o
Physically Challenged Champions
·
250M Dream Swim
o
10-11 Boys & Girls
o
12-13 Boys & Girls
o
14+ Men & Women
Square Off Sports is a premier sports
management, consulting and a training organization providing comprehensive
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& progressive training sessions, consult on investing in the right sports
gear & infrastructure and provides them a platform through professional
tournament environments to display their talent thereby facilitating the
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Vision:
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Mission:
We bring in opportunities to foster and
encourage sports among the youth, by organising & developing all sporting
requirements.
Create a talent pool to take sporting events
in this country to its ultimate potential.
Work hand in hand with policy & key
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