The Government of India has opened all sports complexes and stadiums to the players between the concessions given in Lockdown 4.0. Players can practice by going to them. Related sports organizations can also organize competitions following the guidelines, but the ban on swimming pools and gyms continues, now the Swimming Association of India (SFI) has asked the Ministry of Sports to reopen swimming pools within sports complexes. The ministry has been requested to take consent so that the top swimmer can start his practice.
Swimming Federation of India Secretary-General Monal Choksi said that, in a letter to Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and the Olympic Association of India (IOA) and Sports Authority of India (SAI), has requested the Ministry of Home Affairs that swimming should be done only for top swimmers at least. The pool should be opened so that he can start his practice. More than two and a half months have passed for the players in the water.
According to the SFI, opening swimming pools for elite athletes is not the same as 'recreational swimming' which is still forbidden according to the Home Ministry guidelines. There is a fine line between getting into the swimming pool for fun and going there to practice. If those swimmers practice in the swimming pools built in the sports complexes, it is in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The organization has sought permission only for those swimmers who have achieved the 'B' qualification mark for next year's Tokyo Olympics. These include Virdhawal Khade, Srihari Nataraja, Kushagra Rawat and Advaita Paige.
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