Date:16/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/16/stories/2006011607161800.htm

Sport - Swimming

Inter-varsity aquatics from today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: National record holders Puneet Rana and Shika Tandon will be the star attractions of the all-India inter-university aquatic championships, which will begin at the Water Works swimming pool on Monday.

The five-day meet, which was supposed to be held in October, was first postponed because the dates clashed with that of the senior Nationals. Then the event was delayed due to the decision of Association of Indian Universities to suspend all inter-university competitions for the lack of funds.

Taking up the challenge

Kerala University, which is hosting the championship after a gap of five years, accepted the challenge of organising the meet allotted to it by raising the money. The five-day meet will see nearly 650 swimmers from 75 universities in action.

Fifteen teams, including defending champion Amaravathi University and runner-up Kerala University, will take part in water polo in which competition will be held in the men's section only. Diving events of the meet will be held from January 18.

Bangalore University is the defending champion in swimming events in both sections. Athul Krishnaraj, C. Abhilash and Muralikrishnan will spearhead the challenge of the Kerala University, which finished fourth last year. — Principal Correspondent