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The SFI, like several other national sports bodies, has not
achieved any glory. Poor emphasis on scientific training,
sub-standard physical standards, inadequate infrastructure,
haphazard and out-dated training methods and indifferent
planning and programming have led to little progress in swimming
and other water sports.
Without doubt,
there is no dearth of talent in the country. There have been
significant achievements by Indian swimmers in Channel swimming;
among them are teenagers. In competitive areas, the standards
would have improved had there been a strong commitment and
support from those who have been at the helm of affairs for
decades.
According to the
author, the Indian swimming scene will be able to portray bright
images only when under-teens become national champions,
bypassing Railways and Services swimmers. When girls of below 16
can break Tarzan’s records, why can Indian boys and girls not
dominate the Indian swimming scene?
The book has a
very readable chapter on the birth of swimming in India,
Olympics and Asiad participation, SAF Games, long-distance and
Channel swimming.
Useful information
is also available on synchronised swimming, scuba diving,
triathlon, planning and programming, motivation, and diet. There
is also a chapter on age-manipulation.
Another highlight
of the book is the interesting and colourful profiling of most
of the leading swimmers/divers, officials and coaches.
The book is
replete with apt and lively observations of the author.
A rare treasure on
swimming, the book is a must for all swimming followers and
swimmers.
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NOT
many may be aware that K. R. Wadhwaney, a prolific cricket writer,
is also very knowledgeable on swimming. During his younger days,
while at Lucknow, he coached swimming at the famous Jasbir Singh
Boat House on the Gomati. Subsequently, though cricket no doubt
preoccupied him, he maintained his intimate link with swimming.
