<p>Bengaluru: Over the last three decades, Karnataka have consistently churned out quality swimmers who return with multiple national medals every year. </p>.<p>On Friday the swimming fraternity was elated when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the construction of a new Olympic-size pool in Chamarajanagar at a cost of Rs 2 crore. Also, the announcement to convert the 50-metre pool at the Vidyanagar Sporting Centre into an international aquatic facility comes as a boon for the sport in the State. </p>.<p>“The swimming pool in Vidyanagar of Bengaluru will be upgraded to international standards by providing heating (temperature control) and diving facilities,” said Siddaramaiah during his state budget speech at the Vidhana Soudha. </p>.<p>“An Olympic standard (50 meter) swimming pool will be constructed in Chamarajanagar at a cost of Rs. 2 crore,” he said. </p>.Shuttle game on a bumpy ride.<p>While the pool under-construction is nearing completion in Vidyanagar with a warm-up 25m pool a ready state, the one to come up in Chamarajanagar is set to begin from scratch where the required land has to be identified before calling for tenders. </p>.<p>“It’s a great boost for Karnataka swimming because we do not have an indoor, temperature controlled facility in the state,” said M Satish Kumar, general secretary of Karnataka Swimming Association. </p>.<p>“It will go on to become a training centre for elite swimmers and a swimming hub for the whole state. This was long overdue,” he added. </p>.<p>As far as Chamarajanagar is concerned, K Govindaraj, President of Karnataka Olympic Association, said that the district was selected because it has no swimming infrastructure for public or professional use in that belt. </p>.<p>“Also, Chamarajanagar is mostly a forested area with a strong tribal presence. That will help unearth raw talent and will be helpful for grooming its youngsters. Hopefully we can find some future champions from there,” offered Govindaraj. </p>.<p>The Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports will be responsible for the maintenance, running a swim programme and appointing coaches once the construction of the 50m pool is completed in Chamarajanagar. </p>.<p>As of now, there are Olympic-size pools in Mysuru, Hubballi, Davangere, Belagavi, Shivamogga, Ballari, Chikkamagaluru, Ramanagara and Mangaluru.</p>.<p><strong>Key takeaways</strong></p>.<p>60 deserving sportspersons to receive Rs 10 lakh incentive per annum for three years under the ‘Target-Olympic Medal’ Scheme. </p>.<p>A district stadium in 20 acres of land in Adinarayana Hosahalli, Bengaluru Rural district and a modern cycling velodrome at a cost of Rs 5 crore.</p>.<p>Two new Sports Science Centres to be set up in Mysuru and Belagavi at a cost of Rs 7 crore.</p>.<p>Grants up to Rs 5 lakh each for 100 schools for construction of playgrounds in collaboration with MGNREGA scheme.</p>.<p>State and national-level sportspersons to be given a 15% relaxation and international players 25% in the mandatory annual attendance in schools and colleges.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Over the last three decades, Karnataka have consistently churned out quality swimmers who return with multiple national medals every year. </p>.<p>On Friday the swimming fraternity was elated when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the construction of a new Olympic-size pool in Chamarajanagar at a cost of Rs 2 crore. Also, the announcement to convert the 50-metre pool at the Vidyanagar Sporting Centre into an international aquatic facility comes as a boon for the sport in the State. </p>.<p>“The swimming pool in Vidyanagar of Bengaluru will be upgraded to international standards by providing heating (temperature control) and diving facilities,” said Siddaramaiah during his state budget speech at the Vidhana Soudha. </p>.<p>“An Olympic standard (50 meter) swimming pool will be constructed in Chamarajanagar at a cost of Rs. 2 crore,” he said. </p>.Shuttle game on a bumpy ride.<p>While the pool under-construction is nearing completion in Vidyanagar with a warm-up 25m pool a ready state, the one to come up in Chamarajanagar is set to begin from scratch where the required land has to be identified before calling for tenders. </p>.<p>“It’s a great boost for Karnataka swimming because we do not have an indoor, temperature controlled facility in the state,” said M Satish Kumar, general secretary of Karnataka Swimming Association. </p>.<p>“It will go on to become a training centre for elite swimmers and a swimming hub for the whole state. This was long overdue,” he added. </p>.<p>As far as Chamarajanagar is concerned, K Govindaraj, President of Karnataka Olympic Association, said that the district was selected because it has no swimming infrastructure for public or professional use in that belt. </p>.<p>“Also, Chamarajanagar is mostly a forested area with a strong tribal presence. That will help unearth raw talent and will be helpful for grooming its youngsters. Hopefully we can find some future champions from there,” offered Govindaraj. </p>.<p>The Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports will be responsible for the maintenance, running a swim programme and appointing coaches once the construction of the 50m pool is completed in Chamarajanagar. </p>.<p>As of now, there are Olympic-size pools in Mysuru, Hubballi, Davangere, Belagavi, Shivamogga, Ballari, Chikkamagaluru, Ramanagara and Mangaluru.</p>.<p><strong>Key takeaways</strong></p>.<p>60 deserving sportspersons to receive Rs 10 lakh incentive per annum for three years under the ‘Target-Olympic Medal’ Scheme. </p>.<p>A district stadium in 20 acres of land in Adinarayana Hosahalli, Bengaluru Rural district and a modern cycling velodrome at a cost of Rs 5 crore.</p>.<p>Two new Sports Science Centres to be set up in Mysuru and Belagavi at a cost of Rs 7 crore.</p>.<p>Grants up to Rs 5 lakh each for 100 schools for construction of playgrounds in collaboration with MGNREGA scheme.</p>.<p>State and national-level sportspersons to be given a 15% relaxation and international players 25% in the mandatory annual attendance in schools and colleges.</p>