How a grassroots initiative is keeping swimming afloat in Bengal

Kolkata: Kolkata, once a thriving hub for swimming, is now grappling with limited opportunities for its youngest talents. However, a former India international sought to change this anomaly.

A groundbreaking two-day club-level tournament, held on November 23-24 at the Eastern Metropolitan Club (EMC), marked the beginning of that change.

For the first time in Bengal, the event provided children as young as seven with the opportunity to experience the thrill of competitive swimming in a lively environment, with crowds cheering poolside.

“Our primary aim is to nurture young talent and provide them with competitive exposure,” said Akbar, a former national champion and one of the event’s key organisers.

Speaking to The Bridge on the sidelines of the event, he recalled how the sport sank to a new low after the pandemic.

“Post Covid-19 pandemic, grassroots swimming in Bengal hit rock bottom. There are very few tournaments, leaving a void for children under ten. This initiative is an attempt to revive the culture and give these kids a platform to build confidence and skills," added Akbar.

Filling a competitive void

The invitational tournament brought together 210 budding swimmers, aged 7 to 14, from 19 Kolkata clubs.

Among the standout performers were Ahana Ray Sarkar, Anaya Nahar, and Tapodhir Karmakar.

Ahana and Anaya, representing EMC, captivated the crowd with their intense rivalry, exchanging first and second places across four events.

Meanwhile, Tapodhir Karmakar of the Indian Life Saving Society dominated the boy's competition, emerging as the champion in five events.

While the numbers were impressive, Akbar noted that more swimmers could have joined had they not left for the 68th National School Games, starting November 26.

“The age groups of 7, 8, and 9 have been neglected for years,” stated Akbar.

“If children do not compete early, how will they adapt to the pressure when they turn 12 and enter bigger competitions?”

Currently, the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) allows only two swimmers per category from each state to compete nationally.

Akbar, however, argued for a more inclusive approach.

“We have proposed the Bengal Amateur Swimming Association allow districts to send four swimmers to state-level meets, instead of two,” he said, adding that swimmer finishing lower must be rewarded as well.

"It is essential to reward those finishing third and fourth as well because they are also working hard. And increasing the talent pool will also build a competitive culture in the state.”

Indifferent state federation 

While states like Odisha and Karnataka embraced inter-club tournaments and developed robust swimming infrastructure long ago, Bengal - once a cradle of Indian swimming legends like Bula Choudhury, Arati Saha, and Brojen Saha - has gradually fallen behind, struggling to keep pace with evolving standards.

Akbar, who represented India in the 2002 Seoul Asian Games before retiring in 2008, lamented that his record remains unbroken.

"I was the first Bengali swimmer to compete in the Asian Games since 1986 and the last Bengali man to do so," he said.

Akbar set the record of winning seven gold medals for Bengal at the Senior National Aquatic Championship in 2000.

"Yet, for 24 years, my record still stands unbroken," Akbar lamented, highlighting the stagnation and the muddled state of swimming in Bengal.

Many swimmers still train in unhygienic ponds, with a scarcity of pools suitable for 50-metre events.

"Swimming infrastructure here is brittle," said Saugata Banerjee, a passionate advocate for grassroots swimming and the visionary behind the EMC tournament.

“Children swim in turbid water, and there are barely any tournaments for them to gain exposure. Clubs are doing their best, but they lack support," he alleged.

Akbar, who also served as the coach for Indian Railways between 2016 and 2022, highlighted the stark contrast.

“I have seen tournaments in Bengaluru where events run from morning to night with hundreds of participants under the patronage of the state federation. Why cannot we organise such a tournament here? It is not just about competition; it is about creating a culture.”

Long-awaited initiative

The idea for this tournament was conceived in 2021 when Akbar, dismayed by the dilapidated state of swimming in Bengal and the lack of opportunities for budding players to compete, proposed that the BASA organise year-round club-based tournaments.

His vision was to increase competition time and expand the talent pool, giving young swimmers a platform to grow and thrive.

Despite the initial interest of the state federation, the plan was shelved due to a bureaucratic logjam.

“We followed up with the BASA several times. I have personally spoken with president Ramanuj Mukherjee. He appreciated the idea, but nothing came of it,” he said.

Frustrated by the apathy of the state federation, Akbar and Banerjee stepped in and their efforts have already borne fruit.

“We created separate categories for children aged 8 and 9, who otherwise would not have had a chance to compete since the Swimming Federation of India stopped allowing them in competitions for the last eight years. We do not know, why. But the national federation did not stop us from including these age group. The fact is that muscle memory and competitive instincts develop early, so starting young is crucial,” Banerjee emphasised.

"We often talk about grassroots sports, but do we truly understand its meaning," he remarked.

"Swimming is a unique sport - unlike running or walking, it is not something a child learns instinctively. To become competition-ready, a child needs to start training before he or she turns ten. If the federation only allows competitions for those aged 12 and above, when will these children have the chance to learn and develop their skills?" Banerjee asked.

Clubs at the forefront

Swimming in Bengal is predominantly a club-based sport, with institutions like the Eastern Metropolitan Club, Calcutta Sports Club, Tollygunge Club, Saturday Club, Kidderpore Swimming Club, Kamalgazi, College Square Swimming Club, Dalhousie Institute, Bowbazar Club, and the Indian Life Saving Society serving as key hubs for talent development.

These clubs play a vital role in nurturing young swimmers and building the foundation for the sport in the state over the years.

Swimmers from various districts are nurtured at these clubs, each of which maintain a cohort of 30-40 swimmers.

The Indian Life Saving Society, one of the largest, trains 50-60 advanced swimmers.

This club-centric structure is the driving force of Bengal's swimming culture. Clubs spot and groom talent, conduct their own trials and send their top two swimmers to state-level competitions.

However, this system underscores a glaring gap in the state federation’s role.

Despite the clubs' dedication, the BASA's failure to organise more than just one tournament a year severely restricts competitive opportunities and stifles the growth of the sport.

Without active support from the federation, the full potential of Bengal’s swimmers remains unrealised.

“This is the first time a tournament of this scale has been organised by a club in Bengal,” said Banerjee.

“It shows that grassroots efforts can succeed even without the state federation's backing. But for a sustainable future, the state and national federations need to step up.”

Call to action

Akbar said more tournaments are essential is Bengal is to regain its prominence in mainstream swimming.

“If clubs can organise such an event, why cannot the state federation?” asked Akbar, who is currently overseeing Eastern Railways' swimming academy in Behala.

“We have demonstrated that with the right intent, it is possible to organise a tournament. Looking ahead, we aim to host more such events, whether an all-Bengal state meet or district-level competitions. More tournaments mean more opportunities for young swimmers to grow," said Akbar.

"Most of the aspiring talents are between 8 and 9 years old, and providing them with these platforms is crucial for their development," he added.

As the pool at EMC echoed with the cheers of young swimmers, it was clear that the tournament had struck a chord.

“This is just the beginning,” Akbar said with a smile.

“We have planted a seed. Let's hope it grows into a movement that transforms swimming in Bengal."