twenty second National Masters Swimming Championships: Swimmers Raise Questions Over Planning, Scheduling and Administration

The twenty second National Masters Swimming Championships, held in Bahadurgarh, Haryana, noticed participation from greater than 1,200 swimmers from throughout India. While the big turnout highlighted the rising recognition of Masters swimming within the nation, a number of swimmers have raised issues over the planning and administration of the championship.

A letter shared amongst swimmers in WhatsApp teams by Maharashtra Masters swimmer Kushal Bhagi highlighted issues starting from modifications in qualification standards and venue amenities to scheduling, athlete security and the general administration of the competitors.

Bhagi, who gained two nationwide bronze medals within the Men’s 45–49 age group and certified for the Asian Masters Championships in Bangalore, made it clear that his issues had been directed on the planning and administration of the occasion fairly than the officers and workers engaged on the bottom.

He additionally appreciated the officers, judges, timekeepers and different personnel who continued working all through the championship beneath tough circumstances.

Qualification Criteria Changed Mid-Stream

One of the most important issues raised was concerning the qualification standards for the upcoming 2nd Asian Masters Championships in Bangalore.

According to Bhagi, the preliminary communication was that performances at State Championships could be thought of for qualification, with Gold and Silver medallists in every occasion anticipated to qualify. Several State Championships had been subsequently performed on that understanding.

However, the qualification course of was later modified, with participation within the Bahadurgarh National Masters Championships turning into obligatory and the qualification standards reportedly shifting to the highest six swimmers in every occasion.

For Masters swimmers, lots of whom are working professionals with jobs and household obligations, short-notice journey to a nationwide championship may be tough.

Bhagi argued that swimmers who had already competed at their State Championships beneath the unique qualification standards had been positioned in a tough place when the foundations had been subsequently modified.

“Qualification criteria should be fixed before athletes compete on them, not changed afterward,” he wrote in his letter.

Concerns Over Venue and Basic Facilities

The venue at Bahadurgarh was one other space that drew criticism.

According to the suggestions shared by Bhagi, the method street to the venue was damaged and beneath development. He additionally raised issues in regards to the lack of a correct spectator gallery.

A brief lined space with benches was reportedly used for spectators, which grew to become a priority throughout three days of rain.

Other primary amenities, together with consuming water, meals preparations and bathrooms, had been additionally criticised.

Bhagi described the bathroom amenities as extraordinarily poor and unhygienic and mentioned there was no correctly designated drinking-water facility for a national-level competitors.

The championship was additionally streamed on YouTube, which Bhagi described as a optimistic initiative, though he felt that the digital camera angles may have been considerably higher.

Scheduling Became a Major Concern

Perhaps probably the most severe concern raised by swimmers was the competitors schedule.

Despite an 8 am scheduled begin, competitors on some days reportedly continued till roughly 3 am.

Such delays created difficulties not just for athletes ready to compete but additionally for swimmers returning to their lodging within the early hours of the morning.

Bhagi particularly highlighted issues about poorly lit roads, stray canines and intoxicated folks across the space, saying that a number of swimmers, significantly ladies, had been understandably uncomfortable travelling again at such hours.

Although no severe incident was reported, the state of affairs raised questions on athlete security.

The delays additionally affected medal ceremonies. According to the letter, podium shows had been finally dropped and medals had been as a substitute distributed from a counter.

While this may increasingly seem like a minor organizational situation, Bhagi identified that Masters swimmers typically prepare for months and journey throughout the nation at their very own expense to compete.

Swimmer Stopped Before Completing 200m Butterfly Events, Raising Fresh Questions Over Results and Asian Masters Eligibility

The issues surrounding the twenty second National Masters Swimming Championships in Bahadurgarh have now prolonged to particular person race outcomes, with a swimmer elevating questions after one participant allegedly stopped earlier than finishing respective 200m butterfly occasions.

According to info shared by swimmers, Rashmi Vyas of Gujarat competed within the 200m butterfly in her respective age-group class however was not allowed to finish the complete distance.

The incident has raised questions amongst swimmers about how an athlete who didn’t full the prescribed distance may have a ending time recorded.

Rashmi Vyas’ Case Raises Another Question

The same however probably extra important situation was raised within the case of Rashmi Vyas.

According to the account shared by swimmers, solely three swimmers had been entered in Rashmi’s 200m butterfly occasion. Rashmi was allegedly stopped earlier than finishing the race.

She subsequently raised an objection concerning the choice. Following the objection, Rashmi was reportedly awarded a bronze medal, indicating that she was thought of third within the occasion.

However, swimmers have identified an obvious discrepancy between the medal awarded to Rashmi and the official outcomes.

Rashmi’s identify is reportedly absent from the official outcomes regardless of her being awarded third place after elevating an objection.

This has change into significantly necessary as a result of the official outcomes are understood to be the idea for figuring out the swimmers eligible for the upcoming Asian Masters Championships in Bangalore.

Will Rashmi Be Eligible For The Asian Masters?

The state of affairs has subsequently raised a selected query: If Rashmi was awarded bronze in an occasion with solely three swimmers, however her identify doesn’t seem within the official outcomes, will she be thought of eligible for the Asian Masters Championships?

If the qualification is decided strictly on the idea of the official outcomes, the absence of her identify may probably create a difficulty.

At the identical time, if the organisers subsequently recognise her bronze-medal end and amend the official outcomes, the qualification place may very well be totally different.

For now, the important thing query is whether or not Rashmi’s consequence will probably be formally integrated into the outcomes used for Asian Masters qualification.

The case additionally highlights the significance of getting a transparent and clear course of when a swimmer is stopped throughout a race and subsequently awarded a place or medal.

With the Asian Masters Championships scheduled to happen in Bangalore in October, swimmers are searching for readability on whether or not such outcomes will depend in the direction of qualification.

The points involving Rashmi Vyas and Priyanka Kumari add one other layer to the broader issues raised by Masters swimmers following the Bahadurgarh championship over planning, scheduling, race administration and transparency.

Rashmi Vyas has additionally raised her issues instantly with the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) by means of e-mail.

However, on the time of publication, Rashmi mentioned that she had not acquired a response from SFI concerning the issues she raised about her 200m butterfly occasion, her consequence and the following award of the bronze medal.

 

Whistle Followed by Buzzer at Race Starts

Swimmers additionally raised issues about the sequence of alerts used to begin races throughout the championship.

According to members, the whistle was being blown first, adopted by the digital buzzer/begin sign. Swimmers questioned the usage of this sequence, significantly as a result of athletes are required to answer a transparent and constant begin sign throughout competitors.

The concern was that having an extra whistle instantly earlier than the digital beginning sign may create confusion amongst swimmers about which sign marks the precise begin of the race.

Participants have subsequently questioned whether or not the identical customary beginning process was being adopted persistently all through the championship.

As with the opposite issues raised by swimmers, clarification from the organisers concerning the beginning process would assist set up precisely how the races had been being began and whether or not the process was in accordance with the relevant competitors laws.

Slippery Pool Deck Raises Safety Concerns After Two Bengal Swimmers Suffer Injuries

Concerns over athlete security have additionally emerged following accidents reportedly suffered by two swimmers from Bengal throughout the championships.

According to swimmers current on the venue, there have been no mats in sure areas across the pool, together with close to the beginning blocks. The pool deck was additionally getting used as a sitting space, which reportedly resulted in swimmers having to maneuver by means of an space that was often moist and tough to navigate.

Swimmers mentioned that water accumulating on the tiles made the floor significantly slippery and that mats ought to have been positioned round areas the place athletes had been repeatedly strolling, significantly close to the beginning blocks.

Two Bengal swimmers within the 25–29 age group reportedly suffered accidents after slipping close to the starting-block space.

Sagnik Sinha, competing within the 25–29 age group, reportedly slipped close to the beginning blocks and suffered an damage to his arm.

Another Bengal swimmer, Sunanda Datta, additionally reportedly slipped within the starting-block space and suffered an damage to her leg.

According to swimmers, the incidents highlighted issues in regards to the situation of the pool deck and the shortage of sufficient anti-slip safety in an space the place athletes are continuously shifting out and in of the pool.

The concern is especially important at a swimming championship, the place water inevitably reaches the encircling deck space. Swimmers argued that applicable anti-slip mats must be supplied across the pool, particularly close to beginning blocks and different high-traffic areas, to scale back the chance of athletes slipping and sustaining accidents.

The incidents involving Sinha and Datta have subsequently added to the broader issues being raised by swimmers about primary security preparations and venue administration on the Bahadurgarh National Masters Championships.

Rain Leaves Sitting Area Flooded

The issues over the venue amenities had been additional highlighted when rain reportedly left the designated sitting space flooded.

According to swimmers, the world getting used for spectators and swimmers to sit down was not adequately protected against the rain. Following rainfall, water amassed within the sitting space, making it tough for members and spectators to make use of the house comfortably.

Swimmers had already raised issues in regards to the short-term nature of the sitting preparations and the shortage of sufficient safety from the climate. The flooding following rain added to these issues.

For a three-day nationwide championship involving greater than 1,200 swimmers, members questioned whether or not the venue had been adequately ready to deal with climate situations and supply primary amenities for athletes and spectators.

400m Individual Medley Event Moved to 25m Warm-Up Pool

The scheduling and venue-management points additionally reportedly affected the 400m Individual Medley (IM) occasion.

According to swimmers, the 400m IM, which is a long-course occasion, reached a degree the place it needed to be performed within the 25-metre warm-up pool.

The growth raised questions amongst members in regards to the planning and administration of the competitors, significantly as a result of the occasion was being performed as a part of a nationwide championship.

Swimmers questioned how an occasion requiring a long-course competitors pool reached a state of affairs the place the warm-up pool had for use as a substitute.

The incident has added to the issues raised by members concerning the provision and administration of competitors amenities throughout the Bahadurgarh championships.

4x50m Medley Relay Runs at 4:20 AM, Timing and Results Raise Questions

Another incident that has raised questions amongst swimmers issues the Men’s 100–120 mixed age-group 4x50m medley relay.

According to swimmers, the relay was scheduled as the ultimate occasion of Day 2 however was performed at roughly 4:20 am on Day 3, which means the competitors had already continued into the next morning.

The extraordinarily late timing was not the one concern. Several taking part swimmers instructed SwimSwam that the touchpad was not functioning throughout the relay and that ordinary timing procedures weren’t out there. SwimSwam has not independently verified the situation of the timing system.

In the Men’s 100–120 age-group relay, swimmers reportedly had to offer their very own timings, which had been then used to fill within the timings on their certificates.

This has raised severe questions in regards to the reliability and transparency of outcomes at a nationwide championship.

Electronic timing programs and skilled timekeepers are basic elements of a aggressive swimming meet, significantly at a national-level occasion the place outcomes can have implications past medals, together with qualification and official information.

The truth {that a} relay at a nationwide championship was performed round 4:20 am, with out a functioning touchpad and with swimmers reportedly being requested for their very own occasions, has left members questioning the extent of planning and race administration on the occasion.

For Masters swimmers, who journey from totally different elements of the nation and compete alongside their skilled and household obligations, such circumstances may be significantly difficult.

The incident provides to the rising listing of issues raised by swimmers following the Bahadurgarh championships and raises a broader query: Can a national-level swimming championship preserve correct, clear and dependable outcomes when primary timing and race-management programs aren’t functioning as anticipated?

Additional Questions Raised About Entries and Results

Apart from the issues concerning scheduling, security, qualification standards and timing programs, swimmers have additionally raised a number of different allegations concerning the conduct and administration of occasions on the championship.

Some swimmers have alleged that names of members who weren’t current on the unique entry listing had been added shortly earlier than their respective occasions.

Another issues the ending positions of swimmers. According to claims circulating amongst members, there have been cases the place an athlete who had completed third in a race was allegedly susceptible to being moved to fourth place within the outcomes.

These allegations, if substantiated, may elevate questions in regards to the transparency of the entry, seeding and results-management processes on the championship.

Swimmers have shared video clips and images with these Concerns, a few of that are included under for context. The materials has been shared by members and has not been independently verified.

The allegations subsequently require clarification from the organisers and the Swimming Federation of India, significantly concerning how entries had been modified, how ultimate outcomes had been recorded and what procedures had been adopted when swimmers raised objections to race outcomes.

At a nationwide championship, the place official outcomes can decide medals, rankings and qualification for worldwide competitions, members anticipate the entry and outcomes course of to be clear and persistently utilized.

Comparison With Hyderabad 2025

Bhagi additionally in contrast the Bahadurgarh championship with the 2025 National Masters Championships in Hyderabad.

He acknowledged that the Hyderabad competitors additionally skilled delays at occasions, however mentioned it was held at a correct sports activities complicated and was significantly higher organised total.

He additional acknowledged that suggestions had already been supplied to the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) following the Hyderabad championship with the expectation that future competitions would enhance.

According to Bhagi, the expertise in Bahadurgarh felt like a step backwards fairly than an enchancment.

Masters Swimming Continues To Grow

The participation of greater than 1,200 swimmers on the championship is however an necessary indication of the rising Masters swimming neighborhood in India.

Masters swimmers typically compete with out the assist constructions out there to skilled athletes. They typically pay for their very own journey, lodging and competitors bills whereas managing jobs and household obligations alongside coaching.

Bhagi’s letter subsequently known as for higher planning fairly than luxurious amenities.

The issues raised included primary organisation, hygiene, athlete security, predictable scheduling and readability in qualification guidelines.

Looking Ahead To Asian Masters Championships

The issues come at an necessary time for Indian swimming, with India set to host the 2nd Asian Masters Championships in Bangalore in October 2026.

With swimmers from throughout Asia anticipated to take part, the organisation of the occasion will obtain significantly larger consideration.

Bhagi concluded his letter by expressing hope that the suggestions from Bahadurgarh could be taken constructively and that there could be a mechanism to make sure that issues raised by swimmers result in precise enhancements.

The twenty second National Masters Championships could have demonstrated the growing power and participation of Masters swimming in India. The problem now’s to make sure that the organisation and administration of future nationwide and worldwide competitions develop on the identical tempo as the game itself.

SwimSwam contacted the Swimming Federation of India and the occasion organizers searching for remark concerning the qualification modifications, scheduling, race timing, athlete security issues and disputed outcomes described on this report.