KAVARATTI: The islands of
Lakshadweep are all set to professionally train their youths in swimming with the administration all set to construct three Olympic-sized swimming pools in Androth, Amini and
Kavaratti islands.
Even as youths in the islands have an innate talent for swimming, the Union territory still relies on swimming pools in
Thrissur and Calicut to train them. The administration is set to overcome this barrier by constructing pools.
“We do recognize the local talent in sports and modern facilities to improve their skills are on the
anvil. Three Olympic sized pools will come up in different islands so that the youth can train better,” said the administrator of Lakshadweep Farooq Khan.
President of the swimming association Kasali PK said: “The water density here is very high and it allows a swimmer to easily float on water. Our kids learn swimming in these waters and when they compete in a swimming pool, the density will be much lesser. It will affect their performance.”
Abdul Samad, who bagged gold for four years at All-India civil service swimming tournament said: “Let’s say a pool where competitions happen is 50m long, then swimmers need to practise in pools having that length. I used to train at Sports Authority of India pool in Thrissur. Our swimmers used to go to pools in Calicut Cherootty memorial swimming pool as well. Swimmers like Mohammed Hassan Basari (All-India masters silver medallist) managed to achieve success without much training. If our kids are spotted at a young age and given proper training, then there will be more medal winners.”