The 22nd edition of the Free Swimming Coaching Camp for Differently Abled and Underprivileged Children, a collaborative initiative by the Swimmers Club Belgaum and Aquarius Swim Club Belgaum, successfully concluded on February 24, 2024. Taking place from February 5 to February 24, the camp was hosted at the Olympic-sized KLE’s Suvarna JNMC Swimming Pool, situated on the JNMC campus in Nehru Nagar, Belagavi.
More than 200 children, encompassing those with intellectual impairments, visual impairments, physical challenges, hearing impairments, orphans, tribals, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, were imparted with fundamental swimming skills during the camp. In addition to the coaching, the children received complimentary transportation, swimming gear, daily meals, and training sessions at no cost. Exceptional participants from the camp have been chosen for extensive year-long training in preparation for upcoming state and national competitions.
The closing ceremony, graced by esteemed dignitaries such as Colonel Ajit Singh (Commander of Commando Wing), Rtn. Anand Saraf (Past District Governor, Rotary District 3170, and chairman of SKE society’s sports academy), Shri Ram Mallya (Chairman & Managing Director, Allied Founders Pvt. Ltd. Belagavi), Mrs. S. Salama (Senior executive for CSR of SLK Group, India), and Smt. Lata Kittur (President, Swimmers Club Belgaum), showcased the talents acquired by the participants during the coaching camp. The chief guests felicitated all participants, swimming coaches, volunteers, and support staff for their unwavering dedication to this noble cause.
Colonel Ajit Singh, in his address to the participants, commended the organizers for their commitment to uplifting Divyangjan and underprivileged children in society. He lauded the program as one of the best he had ever witnessed and urged the participants to strive for excellence by bringing honor to the nation through their achievements.
Rtn. Anand Saraf applauded the organizers for their outstanding service in offering free training to marginalized and special children, thereby facilitating their integration into mainstream society. On behalf of the SKE Society (South Konkan Education Society, Belagavi), he announced the commencement of the construction of a 50-meter Olympic-sized swimming pool on its premises shortly.
The camp received generous support from various organizations including the KLE society, Jaybharat Foundation, Allied Founders Pvt. Ltd, SLK Group India, Shri Shirish Gogte, Pai Group of Hotels, among others.
Under the adept leadership of Mr. Umesh G Kalghatgi (Program Director), and with the dedicated efforts of Nitish Kuduchkar, Akshay Sheregar, Ajinkya Mendke, Govardhan Kakatkar, Ajit Jentikatti, Sameer Nadaf, Vinod Dodamani, Shivaji Manmode, Sanjeev Hanchinmane, Vinayak Ambewadikar, Praveen Kanbarkar, Chandrashekhar D H, and others, the camp successfully achieved its objectives.