The Indian swimming team received a warm send-off at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), Ahmedabad, ahead of its campaign at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan.
The ceremony marked the conclusion of the team’s preparatory camp, held at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex from August 1 to September 10.
Arjuna Awardee, Olympian and Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medalist Dola Banerjee, who is also a member of the Indian Olympic Association Executive Council, attended the ceremony as the special guest and interacted with the swimmers, urging them to compete with confidence at the continental Games.
Banerjee also highlighted the improvement in sporting infrastructure and support systems available to Indian athletes over the years.
“When I used to compete, we often faced a paucity of equipment. Today, there is no such scarcity, and the performance of our athletes on the international stage is improving consistently. I have no doubt that our contingent, including our swimmers, will perform very well this time too,” she said.
Indian swimming team head coach and Dronacharya Awardee Pradeep Kumar Sreedharan praised the swimmers for their discipline and hard work during the camp and expressed confidence in their performance at the Asian Games.
SAI Regional Director Prashant Singh assured the athletes of continued institutional support and said the organisation remained committed to providing them with the best possible training environment and facilities.
“We are committed to providing the best possible facilities and support to our athletes. I assure our athletes that when they return, they will find the facilities even better than they are today,” Singh said.
Swimming Federation of India (SFI) Secretary General Monal Chokshi thanked SAI Ahmedabad for its support and hospitality during the camp and acknowledged the Government of India’s continued backing for Indian swimming.
SFI Vice President Kamlesh Nanavati urged the swimmers to remain confident and focus on their preparation without coming under pressure during competition.
“The players have been very disciplined and have put in their best efforts during the camp. I have no doubt that they will give their best performance at the Games,” Nanavati said.
As part of the farewell ceremony, SAI officials performed a traditional tilak ceremony for the swimmers and wished the team success at the Asian Games. MyBharat volunteers were also present to extend their greetings to the athletes.
The 10-member Indian swimming contingent is all-male and will be led by captain Sajan Prakash. The coaching staff comprises head coach Pradeep Kumar Sreedharan, coaches Veer Dhawal and Nataraj V, and foreign technical consultant Sean Kelly.
Indian swimming team: Akash Mani, Aneesh Kumar Gowda, Benediction Rohit, Dhakshan, Heer Gitesh, Sajan Prakash (Captain), Srihari Natraj, Utkarsh Santosh Patil, Danush Suresh and Vedaant Madhavan.
