Alappuzha: A district blessed with backwaters and ponds in abundance lacks a proper swimming training centre for children. Adding to the misery, the renovation of Raja Kesavadas swimming pool of the Kerala Sports Council is getting delayed. Besides, both the schools in the district and public ponds do not have a mechanism that will enhance swimming skills of budding swimmers. The local bodies of Thazhakara, Thekkekara and Cheriyanad panchayats and Mavelikkara and Kayamkulam municipalities are not utilising the water bodies in their localities either.
No swimming pool in Kuttanad
Kuttanad: Rampant pollution in the water bodies of Kuttanad has forced the parents from sending their children to Kainakari, Champakulam and Vaisyambhagom where nationally and internationally acclaimed swimmers are giving coaching classes. Alappuzha - which was number one in swimming championships in the mid-80s for years on end - has taken a nosedive in the medal tally thanks to the depleting infrastructure.
Kuttanad backwaters and lakes are notorious for their water depth and hence finding a potential training ground for swimmers is indeed a daunting task. At present, training is imparted in the shallow water bodies near St Mary's School at Kainakari and Nedumudi panchayat.
Stadium project fails to take off
Kalavoor: Land was identified to set up a modern indoor stadium at a cost of Rs 1 crore at Preethikulangara near Mararikulam. The project envisages training for various sporting activities, including swimming, but that failed to take off due to lack of government aid. Though the required amount was sanctioned in the previous budget, even preliminary steps were not initiated in this regard.
Sports Council cries for a coach
There has been no replacement ever since the Sports Council coach in the district was transferred four months ago. The Sports Council trainer used to visit each centre to give swimming lessons.
"It would be of great benefit if three small pools stretching up to 25 metres each were built at Kainakari, Pulinkunnu and Champakulam. A project was submitted to the previous government after identifying land at Kainakari panchayat," said R S Ajayakumar, secretary of district Aquatic Association. If the government comes up with a favourable stand to address the issue, days are not far behind when Alappuzha would churn out world-class swimmers, he said.
