Sector 23 swimming pool opens tomorrow

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 26

The UT Sports Department has decided to open the Sector 23 all-weather swimming pool for professionals from December 28.

Sources said the pool would open only for international/ national/state/competitive swimmers, who will have to submit the result of Covid-19 test every week. The swimmers also have to submit an undertaking before attending practice sessions.

“The pool is going to open only for professional and competitive swimmers. They have to undergo Covid-19 test every week and also before enrolling themselves. The swimmers will be asked to sign an undertaking to declare any kind of illness,” said a senior official.

He said the pool would not open for general public/members or amateurs.

The department has already issued SOPs and admission forms have been made available. The swimmers will be called in small batches and will train under the supervision of coaches and staff members. For regular upkeep, the pool arena (outside swimming pool) will be sanitised and usage of common bathing facility is also likely to be prohibited.

“A circular in this regard has already been issued and we have started filling of admission forms. The pool has been repaired. The swimmers will be called in small batches at designated time slots. We are committed to the promotion of swimming,” said another official.

In October, the MHA had approved opening of swimming pools for pro-swimmers and thereafter, the department was planning for the same. Only one swimming pool — the all-weather pool in Sector 23 — was expected to be open for trainees as it has the facility to maintain the water temperature.

The Sector 23-based facility was shut since the implementation of the lockdown and the department took almost two weeks to carry out the repair work, cleaning and maintenance work. “It’s a good decision as swimmers can practise during the off-season. So far, we were working on strength and muscle development, but practising in water is necessary. We are ready to follow all SOPs and if each swimmer get three days a week session of one hour each, things will be better in the next few months. All other cities have opened swimming pools for professionals and by god’s grace, everything is normal so far,” said Ankush, a local swimmer.cials maintained that the swimmers have to be cautious not only during practice hours but also during their daily routine. “It’s a collective effort and everyone has to be cautious,” said an official. Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports issued various SOPs for conducting championships in the country. With this, the competitions for swimming are likely to be held before the end of this financial year.