National Age Group Relay Meet behind closed doors today
The National Age Group Relay Championships, the first SLASU swimming event since the pandemic, will be worked off today at the Sugathadasa Swimming Complex behind closed doors with a participation of an estimated 600 athletes representing 36 clubs and schools. The meet will be conducted in age groups of Under-11, 13, 15, and 17 and above 20.
Akry Ameer, a member of Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU), speaking to the Sunday Times on Friday (28) said, “We are taking certain precautions, including mandatory Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for all athletes, officials and coaches. We have now revised the order of events to contain the number at any given time. That would be on an average of 150 athletes at the pool”.
He added, that there are different segment of parents, who don’t want the athletes to be tested, mainly due to concerns of the cost involved. However, these guidelines would be enforced only to ensure the smooth flow of the meet.
Ameer also revealed that all parents will not be allowed, because if they are to do so, numbers would soar beyond 1000 participants in whole. However, in a late development and an exemption on Friday, it was decided only one parent of Under-15 and below swimmers would be admitted, provided they had undergone a RAT or PCR test 48-hours before.
Apart from them, the school representatives, coaches and the athletes would be admitted as usual. SLASU’s hope is to return to the normal full-blown activity as soon as possible, as they have a heavy calendar of events for the remainder of 2022.
They also have been placed in a delicate and a difficult situation between three segments of parents. One segment demanding what precautions has been taken; another hell bent over the meet and a third demanding they should be admitted and the children should not be troubled of testing.
“But we have to conduct in a manner that takes reasonable safety measures for all,” he said of SLASU’s stance, explaining that amid all viewpoints, they had to take a neutral stand.
Only two types of events – 50m Medley and Freestyle Relays – will be open for competitions for all age groups and will be held in heats and finals order. The afternoon session is scheduled from 3.00pm. Though spectators won’t be strictly admitted, had a member of the media had undergone a RAT in the last 48-hours, they too, would be exempted.