New Delhi, The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) on Saturday launched a video campaign to emphasise on the key guidelines and communicated to all the state units to ensure implementation of the SOPs as their top priority and work with the state governments/local authorities to facilitate activities to resume from October 15 outside containment zones.

The Sports Ministry on Friday issued the Standard Operating Procedures for reopening of swimming pools outside the containment zones across the country in which one of the noticeable points is that not more than 20 swimmers will be allowed to train during one particular session at the Olympic-sized pool.

The SOP applies to all SAI and non-SAI centres wherein training of sportspersons may resume, provided no orders of the local authorities prohibit such facilities to resume operations.

"As soon as the MYAS SOP for swimming was issued on Friday, we have circulated the document to all our state units. We find the document to be comprehensive and well-conceived. We are thankful to the ministry officials to have sought SFI recommendation while drafting the same," stated Monal Chokshi, Secretary General, SFI.

"These guidelines are sacrosanct and we have encouraged all state units and swimming centres in the country who train competitive swimmers to ensure these SOPs are implemented while they plan to resume training on top priority" she added.

The official further stated that the federation will hold interactive online sessions led by international experts for coaches, parents and swimmers in order to further guide them on the important aspects to keep in mind when they return to competitive training.

"In the coming weeks, we have planned to hold virtual interactive sessions with experts who will further explain the micro-level precautions that can be followed while adhering to the guidelines issued by the ministry. There will be specific sessions for the benefit of coaches and centres that train competitive swimmers as well as specific virtual sessions for parents and swimmers on best practices to follow while resuming training after a gap of six months," Chokshi explained.

As per the SOP, a maximum of 20 swimmers can train in a pool size of 50 M-10 lane, while 16 swimmers are permitted in 25/50 m 8 lane pools. Other than that, swimmers will be required to furnish "Obligatory self declaration" and residential trainees will have to submit a mandatory Covid-19 negative report before being allowed inside the premises.