Srinagar: The Swim N Survival Society–Kashmir (SNSS-K) on Sunday concluded the RAK Therm 8th Underwater Sports Championship at the Water Sports Centre, Nigeen, with more than 250 swimmers participating in the competition.
Participants aged between 5 and 63 years competed in 15 events across different age categories. Of these, 12 events were held for boys and senior men, while three events were conducted for girls.
The championship provided swimmers from different age groups and levels of experience an opportunity to compete in a structured environment while gaining valuable exposure to underwater sports.
The valedictory function was attended by Mehmood Ahmad Shah, Managing Director, KPDCL, and Shahfaat Yahya, Joint Director, ERA, as Chief Guests. Imran Yousuf Wani, Senior Sales and Marketing Manager, RAK Therm, was also present.
Addressing the gathering, Mehmood Ahmad Shah particularly appreciated the participation of girls in the championship. He said their presence in a water-based sporting event was encouraging and highlighted the importance of creating more opportunities for girls to learn and participate in swimming.
Recalling the experience of the 2014 floods, Shah said the need to familiarise people, particularly non-swimmers, with basic swimming and water-safety skills had remained an important concern.
He emphasised that swimming should not be viewed only as a competitive sport but also as a life-saving skill, particularly in a place like Kashmir where people regularly interact with rivers, lakes and other water bodies.
Shah appreciated the efforts of SNSS-K in providing training opportunities to children and beginners, saying such initiatives could help build greater water awareness and confidence among the younger generation. He also encouraged the organisers to continue providing safe platforms for both girls and boys to learn and develop their swimming skills.
Shahfaat Yahya stressed the importance of promoting sports at the grassroots level. He said events such as the championship provide young participants with opportunities to develop discipline, confidence and competitive experience.
Imran Yousuf Wani congratulated the participants and appreciated the efforts of the coaching team. He particularly highlighted the dedication of the coaches, including their regular early-morning training sessions, saying such efforts played an important role in developing swimmers.
The valedictory function was also attended by JKMAC Secretary Sayed Tahir, SNSS-K President Haji Shakeel Ahmad Shah, Vice President Dr Sheikh Tariq, Secretary Yasir Yousuf Makhdoomi, and swimming coach Riyaz Wani. SNSS-K experts Zahid Iqbal and Mudasir Jeelani were also present.
The coaching team was appreciated for its continued work with swimmers, including regular early-morning training sessions focused on improving technique, endurance and water confidence. The organisers said the consistent efforts of coaches and volunteers had encouraged more children and young people to take up swimming.
Haji Shakeel Ahmad Shah, President of SNSS-K, congratulated the winners and runners-up and appreciated all participants for their enthusiasm and sportsmanship. He also thanked the organising team, coaches and volunteers for their efforts in conducting the championship.
The organisers expressed gratitude to the SDRF team, Underwater Sports Association of J&K, event officials, sponsors and volunteers for their support during the championship.
The championship forms part of SNSS-K’s continuing efforts to promote swimming and water safety in Jammu & Kashmir. The Society has previously organised the 100 Days Swimming Camp, World Drowning Prevention Day programmes, Manasbal Festival, and various swimming and water-safety awareness initiatives.
The Society said it would continue working towards creating greater awareness about swimming as both a sport and an essential life-saving skill, while providing more opportunities for people, particularly children and beginners, to learn swimming safely.
