SFI Secretary General Monal Choksi: Swimmers, who are reaching Uttarakhand to compete in the 38th National Games on Monday, could face significant issues concerning accommodation arrangements. Athletes will reportedly be provided accommodation at Jim Corbett Park, which is 1.5 to 2 hours away from the swimming venue in Haldwani. At the same time, the officials will be put up in Nainital, about 1.5 hours away in the opposite direction creating a logistical challenge for the swimmers at the Games.
When IANS contacted the Swimming Federation of India, SFI Secretary General Monal Choksi confirmed that the "swimming venue is in a city called Haldwani and the elite accommodations are roughly one and a half hours away in Bhimtal and Corbet. So that creates a logistic challenge for players to be able to commute four times a day, that's almost 5-6 hours of travel considering one and a half hours travel is one way. It's not an ideal situation."
When asked if the federation had raised the issue with the organisers, Choski said the problem with hotels in different cities and long commutes stands. It remains to be seen to what extent this will affect athletes' performance. "Yes, we have flagged the issue with them (organisers), and I don't think they can solve the problem entirely because the inventory in the city where the events are being conducted, the room inventory, is not available for a large number of athletes for swimming discipline," he added.
