In a strange move of events in aquatics in the country, the 41st Swimming Age Group Nationals will see a start today at the Sugathadasa Stadium with the government approved committee taking charge of the process leaving the FINA approved Sri Lanka Aquatics Union in the dark.
The Age group nationals were first started in 2014 to encourage swimmers of the different groups to excel and have a platform to showcase their talent. This was expected to be a leg-up to develop their skills and intended to see a wholesome development in aquatics around the country. The Sri Lanka Aquatics Union who came up with the initiative last year had a new format introduced for the swimmers who would first participate in qualifiers at a provincial level and later end up in the main event at the Sugathadasa Indoor Complex.
The age group nationals being one of the two main national swimming meets in the country will be worked out over the span of three days starting from today (11th) and is expected to conclude on the 13th with the awards ceremony. A total of over 1000 participants are expected to be taking part in the meet that includes swimming clubs as well as schools from around the island.
The primary motive of the nationals meet has always been to pick the best performers into the national grid and mould them to finally represent the country at international meets. The government appointed committee that is functioning without the approval of the FINA is currently carrying out the organization process for the meet.
This is the continuation of the aquatics dilemma in the country where the international body barred Sri Lanka out of their member nations due to an interim committee taking over matters in June. Since then Sri Lanka has been recognized as a suspended Member Federation depriving the national swimmers from wearing the national colors in the international meets.
Speaking to ThePapare.com, Mr. Akhry Ameer; the representative of the FINA recognized aquatics body mentioned that they have no connection with the age group nationals regardless of the fact that they were the ones who pioneered the initiative and the independent body that was appointed earlier this year carries it out. He also mentioned that this meet has no official recognition by FINA since they have not recognized the independent body in the first instance.
The Age group nationals is a primary source in picking the national contingent for the Asian Age Group Nationals meet to take place in Thailand. Once again the candidates will have to participate as independent candidates and not as Sri Lankan representatives.
With the new Sports Minister taking over office earlier this week, a situation that he would need to address urgently will be the swimming dilemma in order to restore Sri Lanka’s stance in aquatics internationally.
