- 10-member Indian men’s swimming squad receives a grand send-off at SAI NCoE Ahmedabad after a 40-day preparatory camp
- Arjuna Awardee Dola Banerjee backs India’s swimmers, saying improved facilities are translating into better international performances
- Head coach Pradeep Kumar Sreedharan says disciplined swimmers are fully prepared to deliver their best at the continental Games
- SAI promises stronger support and upgraded facilities as Swimming Federation of India thanks Ahmedabad centre for its backing
NE SPORTS BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, SEPT 10
Forty days of sweat, discipline and preparation in Ahmedabad have now given way to the biggest test—the Asian Games. With bags packed and confidence high, India’s 10-member men’s swimming squad received a spirited send-off at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence (NCoE), Ahmedabad, on Thursday ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan later this month.
The grand send-off at the SAI NCoE, Centre for Sports Excellence, Ahmedabad, marked the culmination of the Indian swimming team’s preparatory camp at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex from August 1 to September 10.
Swimmers, coaches, SAI officials and senior representatives of the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) gathered to motivate the contingent as it prepares to take on Asia’s best in the continental showpiece.
Arjuna Awardee archer and Indian Olympic Association Executive Council member Dola Banerjee, who was the chief guest, SAI NCoE Ahmedabad Director Aditi Singh, SAI Regional Director Prashant Singh, SFI Secretary General Monal Chokshi, Dronacharya Awardee and head coach Pradeep Kumar Sreedharan, SFI Vice President Kamlesh Nanavati and Gujarat Swimming Association Vice President Chintan Patel encouraged the swimmers and wished them success.
Adding a traditional touch to the farewell, SAI officials performed a ceremonial tilak for the players before extending their best wishes for a strong showing in Japan.
‘No doubt they will give their performance’
For head coach Pradeep Kumar Sreedharan, the camp has provided the team with the preparation and discipline required for the continental challenge.
“The players have been very disciplined and have put in their best efforts during the camp, I have no doubt that they will give their performance at the games.”
His confidence comes after an intensive preparatory phase in Ahmedabad, where the swimmers worked towards sharpening their readiness for the Asian Games.
Dola sees an evolving sporting India
Dola Banerjee pointed to the transformation in sporting infrastructure and athlete support over the years, contrasting the present environment with the constraints athletes faced during her own competitive career.
“When I used to play, we would suffer from paucity of equipment, now there is no such scarcity and performance of our athletes in the international arena is getting better all the time. I have no doubt that this time too, our contingent including our swimmers will do very well, I wish them all the best.”
Her message underlined the growing importance of better sporting facilities and support systems in enabling Indian athletes to compete more effectively on the international stage.
Play without pressure
Kamlesh Nanavati urged the swimmers to express themselves freely and avoid carrying unnecessary pressure into competition.
Aditi Singh said the athletes possessed tremendous internal motivation, which would stand them in good stead not only in competitive sport but also in life.
Monal Chokshi expressed gratitude to SAI Ahmedabad for its support during the team’s stay and preparation.
“On behalf of Swimming Federation of India I thank SAI Ahmedabad for all their support and hospitality, we are also grateful to Government of India for their consistent support.”
SAI Regional Director Prashant Singh, meanwhile, assured the athletes that the support infrastructure would continue to improve.
“We are determined to make available the best facilities to our athletes and I promise our athletes that the next time they come, they will find the facilities even better than on this occassion.”
10 swimmers, one Asian Games mission
The Indian swimming contingent comprises 10 male swimmers, with Sajan Prakash named captain.
The squad is headed by Pradeep Kumar Sreedharan as head coach, with Veer Dhawal and Nataraj V as coaches. Sean Kelly is the Foreign Technical Consultant.
India squad
- Akash Mani
- Aneesh Kumar Gowda
- Benediction Rohit
- Dhakshan
- Heer Gitesh
- Sajan Prakash (Captain)
- Srihari Natraj
- Utkarsh Santosh Patil
- Danush Suresh
- Vedaant Madhavan
From the training lanes of Ahmedabad to the Asian Games arena in Aichi-Nagoya, the Indian swimmers now carry with them not only months of preparation but also the collective confidence of their coaches, federation and support system.
The message from Ahmedabad was clear: dive in without fear, race without pressure and let preparation do the talking.
