PANJIM: Goa Tourism announced official support to Swimmathon 2015, scheduled to start on February 22, at Colva Beach.
The event has 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 MLA Nilesh Cabral, Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and Ashish Agarwal, MD of Square Off Sports Pvt. Ltd. Also present for the press conference, on Thursday were Nikhil Desai, MD of GTDC; Vinay Borkar, Vice President of Goa Swimming Association and Rajesh Gupta, Executive Director of Square Off Sports.
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 and International championships. She was the only Goan sSwimmer to be selected for the Indian squad in the Commonwealth Games New Delhi in 2010.
Added attraction is Virdhawal Khade, who will also be participating in the 250m dream swim 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.
Ecstatic on providing support to Swimmathon 2015, MLA Nilesh Cabral 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. 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.”
To enhance the safety of participants, the organizer have engaged services from Drishti Emergency Services. 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. The organizers have also tied up with Manipal Hospital to provide complete medical and ambulance facilities on site and complete first aid and medical facilities on accompanying boats.
The categories for competition are as follows: 10km Swimmathon, 14+ boys and girls, 5km Swimmathon; 13 to 17 years boys and girls, 17+ year’s men and women, 35+ year’s men and women. Differently abled champions: 1km swimmathon, 10 to 14 years boys and girls, 14+ year’s men and women, 250, dream swim, 10-14 years boys and girls and 14+ year’s men and women.
