PORVORIM
The Ardee School Sangolda, along with Fit for Life, the Goa Swimming Association, and the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, will organize the Inter-School Swimming Championship 2025 at Porvorim. The two-day event will be held on January 18 and 19.
Speaking to the media, Joe Shafiq Costa Pereira, the Founder of Fit for Life and Operational Head of the event, stated that the main aim of organizing this championship is to foster a competitive spirit among young swimmers and promote the sport of swimming in Goa. He described the championship as the T20 of swimming, featuring time trials, finals, and innovative relay events such as mixed relays and stroke-specific relays.
He emphasized the focus on teamwork and expressed hope that the event will elevate competitive swimming standards in Goa. The event will witness participation from schools across Goa and other states, showcasing the talents and dedication of young swimmers.
The President of the Goa Swimming Association, Yogiraj Kamat, stated that for the first time in Goa, such a large swimming championship event is being organized, with around 500 participants expected. This championship will take place in a 25-meter pool. This competition will enable young Goan swimmers to compete with swimmers from other states. The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs is in the process of upgrading the infrastructure and facilities for swimming events in Goa. This championship will now be held every year.
The Caymanian swimmer Jordan Crooks recently became the first man to swim the 50-meter freestyle in under 20 seconds. “If a small country like the Cayman Islands can produce world-class athletes, there is no reason why Goa cannot do the same,” said Kamat.
The Event Head of Ardee School, Prasanna Naik Gaonkar, mentioned that their school had organized a similar event last year, in which 150 swimmers from 35 schools across Goa participated. This event was restricted to schools in Goa only. Sanjana Prabhugaonkar, a 12th-grade student of Ardee School, participated in the Speedo Invitational Short Course Meet in November 2023, held in Dubai. She emphasized fostering sportsmanship and providing a platform for young athletes to excel.
