Mangalore: Developing Swimming As Sport in DK Finally Dawns on KSA

By Florine Roche
Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Aug 8: The need of developing swimming as a sport in Dakshina Kannada has finally dawned on Karnataka Swimming Association (KSA) which has belatedly identified Mangalore as the second most promising district after Bangalore as part of its vision for the next 20 years. 

Addressing a press conference held in Mangalore President of KSA Neelakanta Rao Jagdale stated that Karnataka is a leading force in the country as far as swimming is concerned.  However he regretted the fact that KSA has not been able to reach out to the rural masses.  “One of the things we have learnt is that unless a sport reaches the common man development of that particular sport gets restricted.  Since swimming is a life saving sport we would like to impress upon the education department to make learning swimming mandatory for school children”, he stated. 

He requested the corporation officials to render their total support for developing swimming in this district.  Jagdale also insisted that the swimming pool space should be used judiciously for the promotion of sports.  He insisted that Mangalore needs to have one or two additional public pools so as to involve more people into this sport.

Hon Secretary of KSA Vijaya Raghavan pointed out that the main aim of KSA holding the press conference in Mangalore is to promote swimming and develop swimming infrastructure especially in schools and educational institutions.  “It is saddening to note that Mangalore which was once a powerhouse of swimming providing talented competitive swimmers has lost the initiative and now the number of swimmers who compete in state and national level competitions has dwindled drastically. We want more Mangalore children to participate in state level competitions”, he said pointing out the lack of interest evinced by swimmers in competitive swimming in the recent years.     

Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Gopal Hosur, who is also the member of KSA, Banga,lore  assured KSA officials that he would render all possible help to improve swimming in the district as long as he remains IGP here.   “We need to put infrastructure to better use.  Public private participation in the construction and maintenance of pools is the need of the hour”, he pointed out.  Gopal Hosur, a keen swimmer himself,  was instrumental in bringing KSA officials to Mangalore arranging the press conference in Mangalore. 

Vijayaprakash who took over charge as the new Commissioner of the City Corporation promised to look into the grievances of the parents of swimmers.  MUDA Commissioner Ramesh, acting DC-in charge Prabhakar and Sadananda Pai were present at the press meet.