SAI, GAF join hands to develop Indian swimmers

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Glenmark Aquatic Foundation (GAF), a public charitable trust, on Monday joined hands for the talent identification, development and management (TIDM) programme of SAI's National Swimming Academy (SAINSA), operational at the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Swimming Pool Complex here.

An agreement detailing the financial commitments along with areas of cooperation was signed in the presence of SAI director general Injeti Srinivas and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals chief managing director Glenn Saldanha.

SAINSA was inaugurated on May 14, 2014, with the objective to identify, nurture and train the selected athletes through sub-junior and junior categories through scientific, sustainable and systematic methods executed through a network of coaches and scientific personnel.

The academy is also being equipped to function as the High Performance Centre with the establishment of Aquatic Sports Science Centre, fully fitted rehabilitation and recovery facility. The academy inducts trainees between the age of 8-17.

Water polo has already been introduced in SAINSA will diving following shortly.

GAF has committed itself to an estimated Rs.10 crores on the TIDM programme over a period of five years.

American Jim Steen has been identified as the mentor coach for the programme.