Records tumble in Women’s Junior Swimming C’ships

LAHORE: A plethora of new records were set by girls aged 8 to 16 years at the 17th National Women’s Junior Swimming Championships organised by the Women’s Swimming Association of Punjab at the WAPDA Sports Complex Swimming Pool on Saturday and Sunday.

Young swimmers from Sindh, Navy, WAPDA, Pakistan Army, Punjab and Islamabad showed mettle in an environment that brought forth the best from girls swimming at the national level.

At least 25 records tumbled during the two days of swimming with the colourful prize distribution ceremony presided over by Dr Surriya Anwar, President of SOS Villages, held on Sunday evening.

In the Under-16 category, Mishael Ayub of WAPDA claimed six individual gold medals and set 5 new national records in her age group in the demanding 400m IM, 200m butterfly, 100m butterfly, 200m IM and 400m freestyle. She narrowly defeated Bisma Khan of Pakistan Army for the Best Swimmer award.

Bisma Khan also claimed five new national records in the events of 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m and 100m backstroke, and 50m butterfly. Both swimmers will be representing Pakistan in the Islamic Solidarity Games at Baku, Azerbaijan in May.

In the youngest age category, Under 10, Saba Amin of Sindh set new age group records in her events and claimed the Best Swimmer trophy.

In Under-12, UK-based swimmer Afia Minhas of Pakistan Army was declared Best Swimmer with four gold medals, two silver and three new records. Ameena Qadri, in the same age group while swimming for Punjab, also produced excellent results with new records in the 100 fly and 50 free events.

In the Under-14 age group, Ramsha Imran of Pakistan Navy lifted the trophy as Best Swimmer with five gold medals and three new records. Jehanara Nabi offered close competition in the same age category, winning three gold, two silver and one bronze medal.

Speaking to ‘The News’, Ramsha, who lives in Karachi, said, “I started swimming when I was 6 years old. At that time, I didn’t enjoy it so much. But now I really do. It is in my veins. I can’t imagine my life without swimming. I train for two hours every day after school and my hard work along with the encouragement and support of my coach and parents helped me achieve so much success.”

Ghulam Murtaza, swimming coach of the Lahore-based swimming club Alpha Aquatics, whose swimmers claimed at least 40 medals and notched up winning performances, said, “Swimming is a sport that really deserves to be encouraged. In this sport, even one well-trained individual can collect 7 or 8 medals at international level.”

Team Sindh lifted the trophy for the most overall points.