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 and Female in both 5km & 10km race representing India in an International event. The winners of last edition of Swimmathon qualified to represent India in the FINA World Championship held in Russia in July 2015.
The Goan Network
Panaji
Goa Tourism announced official support to India’s premier swimming event Swimmathon 2015 scheduled to be hosted on November 29 (Sunday) at Colva Beach.
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 Gavin Dias “ Deputy General Manager (GTDC). The event also saw the presence of prominent personalities like Nikhil Desai, Managing Director “ Goa Tourism Development Corporation, VinayBorkar, Vice President, Goa Swimming Association & 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, organisers 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 and International championships. She was the only Goan swimmer to be selected for the Indian squad in the Commonwealth 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 and Female in both 5km & 10km 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.
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."
He added: "We thank the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) for their support & recognising 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.
BOX
*Event receives overwhelming support from Goa Tourism
*India’s most celebrated swimmer “ Virdhawal Khade is the Brand Ambassador
