Faulty record keeping by Swimming Federation of India creates chaos
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The erratic Swimming Federation of India (SFI) records, which has categorized national records and 'Indian best performance records' separately for years now, was caught in a jiffy in Saturday during the finals of the opening session. Many swimmers and jumpers, consequently, complained about it.
Unlike almost all national swimming federations across the globe, who have recognized the best performances of their swimmers performed anywhere across the country, the SFI has quite adamantly hung on to its own system. The national records in India are the timings set only at the National Championships, while there has been a separate list for 'Indian best performance records' created in all other tournaments.
The chaotic system was in for a twist on Saturday when they were asked for the best Indian performance list one hour before the start of the opening session of the finals, reported Sportstar. Confused by the ask, the federation quickly started collating and updating new records, which were set at the recent World senior and junior championships before.
Consequently, they were in turmoil as numerous 'Indian best performances' clocked at last year's Thiruvananthapuram Nationals, which included Sajan Prakash's 2:05.83 in the 200m medley, were not to found in the updated list. The best Indian performance reflected on the updated list was Rehan Poncha's 2:05.89 clocked in 2009.
The best Indian women's 50m breaststroke record was showing Priyanka Priyadharshini's, which was 34.29s clocked in 2012, and Tamil Nadu's A.V. Jayaveena was quick to point out that she had bested it in earlier this year itself.
âI had done 33.76s at the Khelo India Games in January (in Pune),â said Jayaveena, reported Sportstar.
The list wasnât only disoriented but wrong as well, for the meet record in the event in it showed Jayaveena's 33.81s, which was clocked on September 19, 2018. Jayaveena hadnât even won the gold medal that year as the correct one would be Karnataka's Saloni Dalal, clocking 34.59 for silver.
