The Glenmark 37th Sub-Junior & 47th Junior National Aquatic Championships 2021 to be held in Bengaluru from October 19-23th is turning out to be a rough-shod ride for the swimmers from the state of Maharashtra.
First up, the swimmers were running from pillar to post to get the pools opened, so that they could be in shape for the national championship. Second, there was much confusion and chaos over the state trials — initially slated in Ahmedabad, and then shifted to Pune. Third, even performance at the swimming trials was not enough, as the Swimming Association of Maharashtra had agreed for multiple trials in Delhi, Bengaluru and then in Dubai.
Surviving the grind, the swimmers and their parents who finally managed to secure a berth for the state team, got down to the brass tacks of making the arrangement for the eventual trip and logistics. It has been a torrid year (make that two) for swimmers in general and Maharashtrian swimmers in particular. With the pools shut and no competitions in sight, many swimmers have moved away from the sport, especially many talented young swimmers.
The announcement of the national championship was a shot of adrenaline through the veins of the despondent souls. Indeed, it was challenging and very tough, but the fact that you could swim again at a competition seemed to spur on many swimmers who were listless thus far. Armed with a selection letter issued by the Swimming Association of Maharashtra (SAM) and Maharashtra State Amateur Aquatic Association (MSAAA), the swimmers were training hard to be able to compete at a national level.
But who knew that their troubles were far from over. On Friday morning, many swimmers woke up to the news that the selection to the state team was up for reconsideration. In consonance with a verdict passed by the Mumbai High Court, the eligibility criterion, namely the qualifying time was to be strictly applied to the swimmers and those who were unable to give those times were not to be allowed to participate. This came as a rude shock, because, generally, the first two ranks in the race (Gold & Silver medal) get selected for that particular stroke, even when the QT was not met.
This decision resulted in complete chaos, as the hapless parents and their wards struggled to find more clarity on the issue. A PDF copy of the MHA selection sheet was circulating wildly over WhatsApp, even though there was no official communication. By afternoon, it was clear that the swimmers that had secured second place and did not get QT, were dropped from the state team. This was a rude shock as the selection letter was no longer a valid document.
Parents were scrambling again. A motley group of parents got together and decided to approach the courts for relief. A lawyer was nominated quickly, and a writ petition was to be filed. Unfortunately, the timing of the move is such that the parents cannot even reach out to the courts, as they are in recess till October 20th. Hence, the only option is a special hearing, which entails additional work and could also mean additional costs.
The clash of Titans
The real reason the swimmers in Maharashtra are suffering is due to the clash between the SAM supported by the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) and MSAAA. Every year during the selections, the same story plays up. SAM will hold trials, so will MSAAA. Then there will be arguments in the court and finally, a sort of reconciliation. Last time when the national championships were held in Rajkot, Gujarat in 2019, swimmers from SAM and MSAAA had participated in the same races.
The dispute between the two associations seems to have reached a crescendo this year. Things have come to such a pass, that there is a blame-game going on as to who is to blame for this virtual breakdown. MSAAA points fingers at SAM and claims to be the authorised swimming body in Maharashtra based on the decisions made by the courts. Meanwhile, SAM believes itself to be the authoritative body and is not ready to relent.
In this tussle, the real sufferers are the swimmers and the parents. Swimmers who strive to find a place in the state team, are disappointed by the sudden shifts and turns. The parents are undergoing severe financial and emotional strain. Every swimmer that has lost a berth in the state team, had booked flight or train tickets to Bengaluru, also paid up for hotels in advance. Quite a handful of swimmers are already present in Bengaluru practicing for the event. Many people have taken leaves from work just to be able to aid their kids in their pursuit.
The year and the one before it has been very calamitous for everyone. In all the challenges that were thrown up by the COVID-19 Pandemic, aquatic sports bear much brunt. The few resilient souls who survived through the onslaught are now being hassled by such ad hoc actions. Natural justice would suggest a course that would be conciliatory and inclusive. Both SAM and MSAAA should convene at a table and ensure that no injustice is done to any swimmers. Merit should prevail, but so must humanity. Swimmers who have been selected should not be denied an opportunity at such a last moment.
Hopefully, the lawyers representing the parents will be able to impress upon the judges the importance of not denying a swimmer who has been selected, a chance to compete. Let’s pray that good sense will prevail and an amicable solution will be reached. Till then, the palpitations of the players and their parents will be definitely on a higher scale.
— Shashwat DC