Sri Lanka declines to host South Asian Swimming Championships

Leslie Fernando

Sri Lanka who were offered to host and conduct the 2nd South Asian Swimming and Waterpolo Championships in 2009 in Colombo by the South Asian Swimming Federation (SASF) has declined to host it due to lack of sponsors coming forward to support it with finances.

At the inaugural meet held in Islamabad Pakistan last year Pakistan Swimming Federation Conducted and hosted the event with over 250 participants and officials from five other countries being provided with board and lodging. The host Pakistan also supported with transport for one week.

According to a Senior official of the Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) the South Asian Swimming Federation (SASF). Which met at the conclusion of the six day 1st South Asia Swimming and Waterpolo championships at the Board room of the Jinnah Sports Complex, Islambad, Pakistan last September offered Sri Lanka the opportunity to host the second meet in Colombo.

The official added that Julian Bolling SLASU Director Coaching and Shehan de Alwis, Manager of the Sri Lankan contingent represented Sri Lanka at the meeting. However the duo were not prepared to give away information without consulting the SLASU hierarchy.

Varindara Nanavat, President of the South Asian Swimming Federation who chaired the meeting has said that the SASF will give time for Sri Lanka Authorities to take a decision and inform the SASF whether they are in a position to host it or not.

At that meeting Nanavati who is also the President of the Indian Swimming Federation Said that India has declined hosting due to various reasons. India will be hosting the Commonwealth games in 2009 and the World Youth Games. In addition the New Delhi Swimming pool will be under reconstruction during that period.

Pune Swimming Association is willing to conduct it but the key factor is to find sponsors to have the meet.

SLASU’s main problem is finding the finances to host it to provide all facilities to visiting competitors and officials. For SLASU conducting it, is not a big issue as we have successfully conducted the South Asian games swimming in 2006 added the senior official.