Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Dec 20: The much-awaited Olympic-standard swimming pool complex of St Aloysius College Institutions was inaugurated at the College campus here on Monday December 19.

The eight-lane swimming pool''s inauguration was blessed by Fr Jerome Stanislaus D’Souza, provincial, Karnataka Jesuit Province and Dr Henry D''Souza, bishop of Bellary diocese.

U T Khader, minister for food and civic supplies inaugurated the main swimming pool while Terence D''Sa, alumni of the college inaugurated the baby pool.

Addressing the gathering chief guest U T Khader, said, "I congratulate the management for having built such a nice pool here. I am an alumni of this institution. If have been able to become a good politician, it is because of the education I received here.

"The real sense of patriotism is not in giving big speeches on the roadside. Instead it lies in contributing to the society by imparting quality to education to the students. A nation can become stronger when the students in the classroom become stronger. This part of the state and country is a century ahead from all other districts and parts of this state, and it is so mainly because of the contributions of institutions like St Aloysius. I wish this new infrastructure benefits all the students and sportspersons of this region."

Mangaluru South MLA, J R Lobo said, "I congratulate the alumni, management and donors for having made this facility a reality. We all have to remember the contribtuion made by the missionaries in this reagion. This region has produced many sportspersons and this facility would definitely help in shaping many more national and international swimmers. I wish all the very best to the institution."

Moodbidri MLA Abhyachandra Jain and chief whip of Legislative Council Ivan D’Souza also spoke and congratulated the management.

Fr Dr Jerome Stanislaus D''Souza, provincial, Karnataka Jesuit Province, presided over the function and also conducted a prayer session to invoke blessings upon the swimming pool and its complex.

MLC, Capt Ganesh Karnik, rector of the college Fr Dionysius Vaz, principal Fr Swebert D’Silva, president of SACAA Archibald Menezes and others were present.

St Aloysius College Alumni Association (SACAA) along with the grants sanctioned by the UGC helped fund the construction process of this pool at a cost of Rs 8 crore. It is the first of its kind in the region, of Olympic standards, will be a boon to the city as it will be able to host major events that require national or international standards. The main pool is 50 meters long and 25 meters wide and the complex is also equipped with a baby pool and other necessary infrastructure. The Swimming pool is complete with state-of-the-art features such as an ozone purification system, gallery, changing room, and a parking area.