Free entry demanded for medal winners at Smart City swimming pool

Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada Swimming Association has demanded that winners of state and national level swimming events be given free entry at the Yemmekere Swimming Pool complex. Association president Yathish Bykampady told reporters on Friday, that the contract to maintain the new swimming pool has been awarded to a private agency, which does not allow swimmers trained by external coaches.Following persistent requests from people's representatives for the past 15 years, a new swimming pool of international standards has been developed by the Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL) exclusively for athletes. However, the new swimming pool, where practice sessions were held until Dec 2024, has been handed over to We One Aqua Centre, and athletes are being denied entry, he said."We have requested district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao to allow swimmers who have won national and state level medals to have free entry at the Yemmekere Swimming Pool. Following this, the minister sent a directive to the deputy commissioner. However, no action has been initiated even after two months," Yathish said.The Yemmekere Swimming Pool was built at a cost of Rs 24.9 crore, with Rs 2 crore reserved for three years of maintenance. However, the private agency has been allowing training for swimmers on a conditional basis, he said.Pool director denies allegationsMeanwhile, Naveen Padil, director of We One Aqua Centre, which secured the tender from MSCL to run the pool, told reporters that he made a security deposit of Rs 50 lakh and is paying Rs 2.6 lakh as a monthly fee after taking over the pool through an open tender. Refuting the charges made by the Dakshina Kannada Swimming Association, Naveen said that they have not denied entry to national level swimmers."Based on requests from people's representatives and officials, we have given free entry to swimmers who won national and international medals at the swimming pool. However, we have made it clear that coaches will not be allowed due to technical reasons," he added.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes, messages, and quotes !