National Swimming Championships Rescheduled

Following concerns voiced by parents regarding intense heat, academic commitments, and limited preparation time, the Pakistan Swimming Federation (PSF) has postponed the National Age Group and Open Swimming Championships to August 7-11. The competition was initially scheduled for July 10-14, as announced in early June.

Reasons for Postponement

The decision to reschedule came after the PSF Chairman, Maj. (Retd.) Majid Waseem, received letters from parents representing swimmers from Sindh and the Pakistan Navy. The parents requested a change in dates, citing that the severe weather conditions in July, alongside ongoing scholastic examinations, would adversely impact performance levels and compromise safety. They also advocated for holding the championship during its traditional October timeframe.

Parental Concerns
  • Many athletes were either overseas or occupied with academic exams.
  • Limited opportunity for adequate training.
  • A proposal for targeted trials for international competitions was suggested to avoid disruption of the national schedule.
PSF’s Response

After a comprehensive virtual meeting lasting a full day, the PSF conceded to moving the championship dates. However, the federation emphasized the importance of selecting teams for both the World Junior Championships in Romania (Aug. 19-24) and the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain (Oct. 22-31). The PSF has asserted its right to determine future championship dates based on international commitments, guaranteeing a minimum notice period of 45 days.