JAMMU, Oct 14: The Dolphin Swimmers Club, Jammu, has expressed serious concern over the continued non-functioning of the swimming pool at M.A. Stadium, Jammu, and urged the concerned authorities to expedite pending cleaning, clearance and maintenance work to restore the facility at the earliest.
The club said that despite raising the issue with the Divisional Sports Officer (DSO), Jammu, and receiving assurances that the matter would be addressed, the swimming pool remains non-functional, leaving swimmers and aspiring athletes uncertain about the resumption of regular training.
The club has also highlighted concerns over the reported absence of a heating arrangement for the winter season, warning that swimmers could once again be deprived of access to the facility as temperatures fall.
Expressing disappointment over the situation, the club said swimmers had waited nearly eight years for the pool to reopen and had hoped to finally have access to a proper facility for regular practice. However, issues related to cleanliness, filtration and maintenance continue to create obstacles.
“If the pool cannot operate during winter because there is no heating arrangement, where will aspiring swimmers and sportspersons practise? A public sports facility should provide consistent opportunities for training rather than remain unavailable for extended periods,” the club said.
The club further pointed out that private swimming pools reportedly charge more than ₹5,000, making regular practice expensive and unaffordable for many ordinary citizens and young athletes.
It also questioned the effectiveness of public expenditure on sports infrastructure if the facility cannot be made accessible to swimmers throughout the year.
The Dolphin Swimmers Club has urged the Sports Council and other concerned authorities to take immediate steps to complete the pending cleaning and clearance work, ensure proper filtration and maintenance, and install or provide a suitable heating system to keep the pool operational during winter.
The club stressed that repeated assurances must be followed by concrete action to resolve the issue and restore swimmers’ confidence in public sports facilities.
Emphasising the importance of accessible sporting infrastructure, the club said a properly maintained and functional swimming pool was essential for nurturing young talent, supporting competitive swimmers and promoting a sporting culture in Jammu.
The club appealed to the authorities to treat the matter as a priority and ensure that the M.A. Stadium swimming pool serves the needs of athletes and the general public throughout the year.