Square Off Sports Swimmathon 2015 to be Held at Colva Beach, Goa.

“Swimmathon 2015” gets 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

 Square Off Sports announces Swimmathon 2015 scheduled to be hosted in Goa on 22nd February 2015 & gets official recognition by Swimming Federation of India (SFI). The formal announcement was made by Mr. Pradeep Kumar, National Coach, Swimming Federation of India and Ashish Agarwal, Managing Director - Square Off Sports Pvt. Ltd. The event also saw the presence of prominent personalities like Shaina NC, Executive World Chairperson Giants International and Spokesperson & Treasurer, BJP Maharashtra, Rashmi Nigam, Bollywood Actress and Meiyang Chang, Bollywood Actor, Television Host & Singer.

 

Lending added credibility and athletic prowess to the event, Virdhawal Khade India’s most accomplished and celebrated swimmer, has been roped in as Brand Ambassador for “Swimmathon 2015”. An Arjuna Awardee, Virholds the distinction of being the youngest Indian to qualify for the Olympics. A prolific national record holder, and definitely the fastest Indian of all time in water, Vir has consistently delighted record keepers with his performances at national and international events especially with his historic wins at the Youth Commonwealth and Asian Games. Vir 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.

The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) is 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. The recognition of “Swimmathon 2015” by SFI 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. The event is being hosted at Colva Beach, Goa and has also received official support from Goa Tourism.

 

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.

Says 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””

Open Water Swimming has also now been included in the list of sporting events for the Olympics. “Swimmathon 2015” aims to encourage more participants to take up open-sea swimming. With 17 categories of participants including one for differently abled athletes, organisers expect a significant interest in the event.

Ecstatic on the association between Swimming Federation of India and Swimmathon 2015, Mr. Pradeep Kumar, National Coach, Swimming Federation of India said, “We are happy to promote ‘Swimmathon 2015’ in association with Square Off Sports, which has deep expertise in conducting events of this nature. I 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. Swimming Federation Of India hopes to tie up with Square Off Sports and make this an annual event and together facilitate more such platforms to produce swimming / sporting icons in our country”

 

India’s most accomplished swimmer, Arjuna Awardee, and Asian Games medalist,Mr. VirdhawalVikramKhade said, “Today’s generation of swimmers are really lucky where they are getting platforms like “Swimmathon 2015” to showcase their talent. You can compete with International Swimmers and most importantly you can proudly represent India in FINA World Championship 2015. Swimming is not only a sport but it also helps you to keep your heart healthy, stress out your body, build muscle strength and helps you to maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and healthy mind.

 

Executive World Chairperson Giants International and Spokesperson & Treasurer Shaina NC added,“Being a part of Swimmathon since its inception is an exhilarating journey in itself. I have seen this property grow and it makes me really happy to see that it has reached International Level in its 4th Season itself. Square Off Sports Team goes out of the way to identify talent from across the nation. Open Water Swimming is still a sapling in this country and needs nurturing.

To enhance the safety of participants, the organisers have engaged services from Drishti Emergency Services. The company is the largest professional run Lifeguard service and has strength of over 600 employees having extensive experience in consultancy and disaster management planning. They will also help the organizers with audit and risk assessment, planning, and deployment solutions to address any emergencies during the event. There will be medical and ambulance facilities on site and first aid facilities on accompanying boats. 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.

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