Swimmers should be careful in early-stage: Rajib Dey

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: The Ministry of Health Affairs in its recent guidelines allowed to open swimming pool only for training purpose of sportspersons. In an interaction with The Sentinel national level swimming coach Rajib Dey advises the state swimmers to go slowly at the initial stage of their training and increase the level gradually. Here is the excerpt.

The Sentinel (TS): Swimming gets green signal to begin activities after COVID-19 break…..

Rajib: It's good news for us. Now we are waiting for the SOP which would be issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYA&S). Once it comes the coaches and the swimmers can chalk out their plans and start training.

TS: What procedure should the swimmers follow during the initial part of training?

Rajib: Swimmers will return into the pool after a long layoff. So they should be careful during the initial stage of training. Initially they must go slow and increase the work load gradually. At the beginning I suggest more off the pool training like aerobic exercise, muscle strength training etc.

TS: What time it may require for the swimmers to get back their form?

Rajib: It depends on swimmer to swimmer. But I feel 3-4 months are enough to return into the form if a swimmer maintains the training schedule properly. Coaches also have to play a good role here.

TS: Guardians are little bit worried because they fear social distancing may be compromised.

Rajib: Yes. It is an important issue and a lot will be depending how the pool authorities handle the matter. They should restrict the number of swimmers in the pool and if requires they can divide the swimmers and allow them to come into the pools in every alternative day. It will reduce the crowed in the pool. The officials may also put restriction on use of changing room during the early part of the training.

TS: Some guardians have some doubt that COVID-19 may spread in water. What do you think.

Rajib: I feel swimming pool is a safe place for the swimmers. The gap of one lane to other in the pool is nearly 2.5 mts which means you are maintaining a proper social distance. Pool disinfectants like chlorine kill the virus providing another layer of protection.

Also Watch: Thief in Guwahati Medical College Caught, Watch How He Did It