Goa, 19th February 2015: Goa Tourism announces official support to Swimmathon 2015 scheduled to be hosted in Goa on 22nd February at Colva Beach. Swimmathon 2015 has also received recognition by Swimming Federation of India (SFI) as the official Indian National Selection Trial for FINA World Championship, Russia. The formal announcement of Goa tourism supporting Swimmathon 2015 was made by Mr. Nilesh Cabral, Chairman Goa Tourism Development Corporation and Ashish Agarwal, Managing Director – Square Off Sports Pvt. Ltd. The event also saw the presence of prominent personalities like Mr. Nikhil Desai, Managing Director – Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. Vinay Borkar, Vice President, Goa Swimming Association & Mr. Rajesh Gupta, Executive Director – Square Off Sports
Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Government of Goa, has been working hard in promoting Goa as a round the year tourist destination. A “Tourist Paradise” and “Pearl of the Orient”, the state of Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul that goes deep into unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer. The destination is also known for water sports and ‘Swimmathon’ is expected to be an added tourist attraction in the coming years.
Lending added credibility and athletic prowess to the event, Talasha Prabhu, Goa’s Champion swimmer, has been roped in as the Female Brand Ambassador for “Swimmathon 2015”. An International Ace Swimmer, Talasha holds the distinction of having participated in various National & International Championships. She was the only Goan Swimmer to be selected for the Indian squad in the Common Wealth Games New Delhi in 2010.
Added attraction is Virdhawal Khade who will also be participating in the 250 M Dream Swim in Swimmathon 2015 as a special gesture to encourage people to take up open sea swimming. Vir is India’s most accomplished and celebrated swimmer and holds the distinction of being the youngest Indian to qualify for the Olympics.
The recognition of “Swimmathon 2015” by Swimming Federation of India (SFI), the central governing body for promotion and administration of swimming as sport in India and is also affiliated to FINA, the world governing body for the sport, will open doors for Indian Open Water Swimmers with the fastest swimmer – Male & Female in both 5 KM & 10 KM race representing India in the FINA World Championships – Open Water Event to be held at Kazan, Russia in July 2015.
Ecstatic on providing support to Swimmathon 2015, Mr. Nilesh Cabral, Chairman – Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), said, “Swimmathon 2015 is set to happen in Goa on February 22 and Goa Tourism welcomes the idea that India’s premier open water swimming race is happening at Colva, one of the most popular beaches along the State’s coastline. This is a mega event for Goa and Goa Tourism is proud to be associated with it, as it will bring swimmers from across the country. Our local Goan sportspersons will also get an opportunity to compete and possibly even make it to the international event scheduled at Kazan, Russia in July this year. We hope that this event becomes an annual feature and even one that figures in our calendar of events drawing more participants from all over the world, country and State.”
Added Mr. Nikhil Desai, Managing Director Goa Tourism Development Corporation, “It is a delight that ‘Swimmathon 2015’ is being held in Goa where water sports and adventure is one of the key facets of Goa Tourism and attracts lakhs of tourists to the State. India and Goa both have national and international medal winning swimmers, talented sports persons in aqua sports and Swimmathon is an excellent opportunity for them to shine and make their way to an international platform in Russia. We congratulate the organizers and all supporting agencies for the Swimmathon open water race and wish all the contestants the very best.”
The aim of “Swimmathon” is to develop Open Water Swimming as a sport in India as well as to recognize the real talent from across the nation. Association of “Swimmathon 2015” with SFI will create a perfect competent breed of International level Swimmers. Swimmathon does not only identify International level swimmers but also tries to nurture them every year. Open water swimming poses unique challenges to the swimmers as there are no lane lines, walls or starting blocks to dictate what it takes to win. Unpredictable natural conditions often play a deciding role in determining the winner of such a race.
Mr. Ashish Agarwal, Managing Director – Square Off Sports, “As fitness becomes a way of life, an increasing number of people are looking for opportunities for adventure and testing their own limits. Competitions such as these not only provide an opportunity for excellent talent from across the state to be identified, but also an opportunity for those seeking adventure, to experience the thrill of braving and conquering the elements. At Square Off Sports, we believe that the Indian youth have exceptional talent and potential that can be encouraged by giving them the right platform. We are proud to promote Open Sea Swimming in India in association with GSA and Swimming Federation of India. It is the newest Olympic sport and given the right attention, we are confident that India can excel at the international level”
Expressing delight on being the technical partner of Swimmathon 2015, Mr. Vinay Borkar, Vice President – Goa Swimming Association said, “We are happy to be the technical partners for ‘Swimmathon 2015’ in association with Square Off Sports, which has deep expertise in conducting events of this nature. We have seen this property evolve over the last few years. Till last season, this event was hosted in Mumbai at Gateway of India. This year it is hosted in Goa and has transpired into a bigger and better property due to the consistent efforts that the Square Off Sports team has put in nurturing this event. ‘Swimmathon 2015’ is a stepping stone for the Indian swimmers to become an International level sports personality and represent India at FINA World Championship 2015, Russia. I am positive that ‘Swimmathon 2015’ is a great initiative that will help Swimming emerge as a serious sport in India and provide opportunities to all the aspiring swimmers. Goa Swimming Association is proud to be the technical partners for Swimmathon 2015 and facilitate a platform for producing swimming / sporting icons in our country”
To enhance the safety of participants, we have engaged services from Drishti Emergency Services. The company is the largest professional run Lifeguard service and has strength of over 700 employees, in Goa alone, having extensive experience in consultancy and disaster management planning. For cases where immediate attention might be needed, they have arranged for the involvement of lifeguard with hi-speed Gemini boats, swimming experts to accompany each category, and availability of jet-skis. They will also help Swimmathon with audit and risk assessment, planning, and deployment solutions to address any emergencies during the event. We have also tied up with Manipal Hospital to provide us with complete medical and ambulance facilities on site and complete first aid & medical facilities on accompanying boats.
The categories for competition are as follows:
- 10K Swimmathon
- 14+ Boys & Girls
- 5K Swimmathon
- 13-17 Boys & Girls
- 17+ Men & Women
- 35+ Men & Women
- Differently Abled Champions
- 1K Swimmathon
- 10-14 Boys & Girls
- 14+ Men & Women
- 250M Dream Swim
- 10-14 Boys & Girls
- 14+ Men & Women
Recognized by Swimming Federation of India as “Indian Selection Trial” in the Open Water Swimming Category at FINA World Championship 2015 to be held in Russia
