The Deputy Director of Tourism Kashmir, Malik Waseem, felicitated over 40 youths by awarding mementos and certificates for successfully completing a basic swimming course at the Water Sports Centre Nigeen on Thursday.
The 100-day swimming camp, organized by the Swim N Survival Society-K in collaboration with the Department of Tourism Kashmir, ran from June to September. It aimed to teach non-swimmers the basics of swimming and received an overwhelming response from locals, especially children. Since 2016, the society has been providing training in this area.
Scores of children of various age groups, along with their parents, attended the morning coaching camp regularly.
While appreciating the youth for their participation, the Deputy Director highlighted the importance of swimming as a vital sports activity that can be life-saving during floods. He assured that the department would fully support such training initiatives and expressed hope that the society would continue the coaching camp in the future. He also mentioned that proficient swimmers could compete in state and national level competitions.
“In the absence of swimming pools, youth venture into rivers and lakes for swimming without any lifesaving equipment, which has proven fatal for them,” said the Deputy Director. “We feel very sad to hear of drowning incidents in many parts of the Valley.” He also noted that the department had provided Rafting Guide training to the youth this month to help them earn a livelihood.
Prominent attendees at the function included Shakeel Ahmad Shah, President of Swim N Survival Society-K; Dr. Surjit Bali, Professor of the Physical Education Department at the University of Kashmir; noted swimming and cycling expert Riyaz Wani; Yasir Makhdoomi, Secretary of Swim N Survival Society-K; and other swimming experts such as Mudasir Chasti, Zahid Iqbal, Sheikh Rashid, Owais Rashid, Moonis Majid, and Nasir Majeed. These technical experts provided training to the students, with the assistance of other volunteers.
