Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 24: An international level swimming pool is under construction at Yemmekere in the city. The international level swimming pool at St Aloysius College is already in use. But the 34-year-old swimming pool of the city corporation, Mangala swimming pool, located at the heart of the city, has not even acquired the capacity to organise national level competitions.

As far as quality is concerned, this swimming pool has better filtration and purification systems, but lacks other facilities. In several parts of the office building, people inside have to use umbrellas during the rainy season. There is a need for a good gallery. The bathroom too is not well equipped, the swimmers feel.

Mangala swimming pool (file photo)

This swimming pool with six lanes can only hold zonal and state level tournaments. For national level competitions, at least eight lanes are needed. The pool will have an enhanced look if the current office premises are removed and a new beautiful building is built.

Mangala swimming pool is very popular with about 500 members of the public and 200 professionals using the pool every day. During the training camps held in April and May, about 1,300 students take part. It has different batches for girl students, women and children. Swimmers and trainers here too feel that there is a need to improve facilities here and to create more good quality swimming pools, taking into account high levels of demand.