Swimming Federation of India announces “Swimmathon 2015” at Colva Beach, Goa

Swimming Federation of India announces “Swimmathon 2015” at Colva Beach, Goa on 29^th November 2015, receives overwhelming support from Goa Tourism

India’s most celebrated swimmer – Virdhawal Khade is the Brand Ambassador.

 Goa Tourism announces official support to India’s premier swimming event Swimmathon 2015 scheduled to be hosted on 29^th November 2015 at Colva Beach, Goa. Swimmathon 2015 is also officially recognised by Swimming Federation of India (SFI) as the official Indian National Selection Trial for an International Event. The formal announcement of Goa tourism supporting Swimmathon 2015 was made by Mr. Nilesh Cabral, Chairman Goa Tourism Development Corporation and Ashish Agarwal, Managing Director – Square Off Sports Pvt. Ltd. The event also saw the presence of prominent personalities like Mr. Nikhil Desai, Managing Director – Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. Vinay Borkar, Vice President, Goa Swimming Association & Mr. Rajesh Gupta, Executive Director – Square Off Sports

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 the Swimmathon 2015. An Arjuna Awardee, Vir holds the distinction of being the youngest Indian to qualify for the Olympics. With Vir’s eyes firmly fixed on the Olympics this year, organizers are delighted that the poster boy for Indian swimming has made time to encourage swimmers and promote the sport further. Adding another dash of excitement 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 & International Championships. She was the only Goan Swimmer to be selected for the Indian squad in the Common Wealth Games New Delhi in 2010.

The recognition of “Swimmathon 2015” by Swimming Federation of India (SFI) as the official national selection trial for open water swimming for International event has opened doors for Indian Open Water Swimmers with the fastest swimmer - Male & Female in both 5 KM & 10 KM race representing India in an International Event. The winners of last edition of Swimmathon qualified to represent India in the FINA World Championship held at Russia in July 2015.

Mr. Ashish Agarwal, Managing Director - Square Off Sports said, “India has been enriched by some exceptional sports personalities who have taken the world by storm. Such talented people have been fortunate to have been discovered at the right moment and their talent have been nurtured, lifting them out of obscurity into International Limelight. Given India’s geographical magnitude of the country, one can only imagine the talent that seems out of sight and waiting to be discovered. As organisers, we would like to see Swimmathon as one of those platforms which can become a pedestal to the international arena. We thank Swimming Federation of India (SFI) for their support & recognizing the race as the official selection trial where the winners of Swimmathon 2015 in the 10K and 5K category get automatic entry into the Indian team for International Open Water Races. True to its vision, Square Off Sports in association with Swimming Federation Of India has provided swimmers across the country a platform wherein they can showcase their talent and get due recognition & rewards. We would also like to thank Goa Tourism and our sponsors Central Bank of India, Finis, Black Panther, Kenilworth, Manipal Hospitals among others for their support & association.”

With the Open Water Swimming now included in the list of sporting events for the Olympics, Swimmathon 2015, aims to encourage more swimmers to take up open-water swimming. With 19 categories of participants including one for differently abled athletes, organisers expect a significant interest in the event. Last edition of Swimmathon saw close to 600 participants, from across the country participating in various categories. This year promises an even better turnout. 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.

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 recognise ‘Swimmathon’ conducted by 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 year, 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 organizing team has put in nurturing this event. ‘Swimmathon 2015’ is a stepping stone for the Indian open water swimmers to become an International level sports personality and represent India at International races. I am positive that ‘Swimmathon 2015’ is a great initiative that will help Open Water 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 medallist, Mr. Virdhawal Vikram Khade 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.

Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Government of Goa, has been working hard in promoting Goa as a round the year tourist destination.  A "Tourist Paradise" and "Pearl of the Orient", the state of Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul that goes deep into unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer. The destination is also known for water sports and ‘Swimmathon’ is expected to be an added tourist attraction in the coming years.

Ecstatic on providing support to Swimmathon 2015, Mr. Nilesh Cabral, Chairman – Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), said, "Swimmathon 2015 is set to happen in Goa on November 29^th 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. This is a mega event for Goa and Goa Tourism is proud to be associated with it, as it will bring swimmers from across the country. Our local Goan sportspersons will also get an opportunity to compete and possibly even make it to the international event. 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."

Added Mr. Nikhil Desai, Managing Director Goa Tourism Development Corporation, "It is a delight that ‘Swimmathon 2015’ is being held in Goa where water sports and adventure is one of the key facets of Goa Tourism and attracts lakhs of tourists to the State. India and Goa both have national and international medal winning swimmers, talented sports persons in aqua sports and Swimmathon is an excellent opportunity for them to shine and make their way to an international platform. We congratulate the organizers and all supporting agencies for the Swimmathon open water race and wish all the contestants the very best."

To enhance the safety of participants, the organisers have engaged professional lifeguard services. 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. They will also help Swimmathon with audit and risk assessment, planning, and deployment solutions to address any emergencies during the event. The organisers have also tied up with Manipal Hospital to provide us with complete medical and ambulance facilities on site and complete first aid & medical facilities on accompanying boats.

The categories for competition are as follows:

·         10K Swimmathon

o   14+ Boys & Girls

·         5K Swimmathon

o   14+ Boys & Girls

o   35+ Men & Women

·         1K Swimmathon

o   10-11 Boys & Girls

o   12-13 Boys & Girls

o   14+ Men & Women

o   Physically Challenged Champions

·         250M Dream Swim

o   10-11 Boys & Girls

o   12-13 Boys & Girls

o   14+ Men & Women

Square Off Sports is a premier sports management, consulting and a training organization providing comprehensive services in the field of sports. Square Off Sports is formed with the intent to develop a sporting culture in India, a culture that promises a future for all aspirants, one that conditions them with professional coaching, structured & progressive training sessions, consult on investing in the right sports gear & infrastructure and provides them a platform through professional tournament environments to display their talent thereby facilitating the GenNext of India to take up sports as a profession and excel in it.

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Making Sports a way of life we shall put India in the forefront of International Sports Arena by 2025.

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We bring in opportunities to foster and encourage sports among the youth, by organising & developing all sporting requirements.

Create a talent pool to take sporting events in this country to its ultimate potential.

Work hand in hand with policy & key decision makers in the Sports arena across the gamut.