By Sanuj Srivastava on SwimSwam
The 22nd National Masters Swimming Championships, held in Bahadurgarh, Haryana, saw participation from more than 1,200 swimmers from across India. While the large turnout highlighted the growing popularity of Masters swimming in the country, several swimmers have raised concerns over the planning and management of the championship.
A letter shared among swimmers in WhatsApp groups by Maharashtra Masters swimmer Kushal Bhagi highlighted concerns ranging from changes in qualification criteria and venue facilities to scheduling, athlete safety and the overall management of the competition.
Bhagi, who won two national bronze medals in the Men’s 45–49 age group and qualified for the Asian Masters Championships in Bangalore, made it clear that his concerns were directed at the planning and management of the event rather than the officials and staff working on the ground.
He also appreciated the officials, judges, timekeepers and other personnel who continued working throughout the championship under difficult circumstances.
Qualification Criteria Changed Mid-Stream
One of the major concerns raised was regarding the qualification criteria for the upcoming 2nd Asian Masters Championships in Bangalore.
According to Bhagi, the initial communication was that performances at State Championships would be considered for qualification, with Gold and Silver medallists in each event expected to qualify. Several State Championships were subsequently conducted on that understanding.
However, the qualification process was later changed, with participation in the Bahadurgarh National Masters Championships becoming compulsory and the qualification criteria reportedly moving to the top six swimmers in each event.
For Masters swimmers, many of whom are working professionals with jobs and family responsibilities, short-notice travel to a national championship can be difficult.
Bhagi argued that swimmers who had already competed at their State Championships under the original qualification criteria were placed in a difficult position when the rules were subsequently changed.
“Qualification criteria should be fixed before athletes compete on them, not changed afterward,” he wrote in his letter.
Concerns Over Venue and Basic Facilities
The venue at Bahadurgarh was another area that drew criticism.
According to the feedback shared by Bhagi, the approach road to the venue was broken and under construction. He also raised concerns about the lack of a proper spectator gallery.
A temporary covered area with benches was reportedly used for spectators, which became a concern during three days of rain.
Other basic facilities, including drinking water, food arrangements and toilets, were also criticised.
Bhagi described the toilet facilities as extremely poor and unhygienic and said there was no properly designated drinking-water facility for a national-level competition.
The championship was also streamed on YouTube, which Bhagi described as a positive initiative, although he felt that the camera angles could have been significantly better.
Scheduling Became a Major Concern
Perhaps the most serious concern raised by swimmers was the competition schedule.
Despite an 8 am scheduled start, competition on some days reportedly continued until approximately 3 am.
Such delays created difficulties not only for athletes waiting to compete but also for swimmers returning to their accommodation in the early hours of the morning.
Bhagi specifically highlighted concerns about poorly lit roads, stray dogs and intoxicated people around the area, saying that several swimmers, particularly women, were understandably uncomfortable travelling back at such hours.
Although no serious incident was reported, the situation raised questions about athlete safety.
The delays also affected medal ceremonies. According to the letter, podium presentations were eventually dropped and medals were instead distributed from a counter.
While this may appear to be a minor organizational issue, Bhagi pointed out that Masters swimmers often train for months and travel across the country at their own expense to compete.
Swimmer Stopped Before Completing 200m Butterfly Events, Raising Fresh Questions Over Results and Asian Masters Eligibility
The concerns surrounding the 22nd National Masters Swimming Championships in Bahadurgarh have now extended to individual race results, with a swimmer raising questions after one participant allegedly stopped before completing respective 200m butterfly events.
According to information shared by swimmers, Rashmi Vyas of Gujarat competed in the 200m butterfly in her respective age-group category but was not allowed to complete the full distance.
The incident has raised questions among swimmers about how an athlete who did not complete the prescribed distance could have a finishing time recorded.
Rashmi Vyas’ Case Raises Another Question
A similar but potentially more significant issue was raised in the case of Rashmi Vyas.
According to the account shared by swimmers, only three swimmers were entered in Rashmi’s 200m butterfly event. Rashmi was allegedly stopped before completing the race.
She subsequently raised an objection regarding the decision. Following the objection, Rashmi was reportedly awarded a bronze medal, indicating that she was considered third in the event.
However, swimmers have pointed out an apparent discrepancy between the medal awarded to Rashmi and the official results.
Rashmi’s name is reportedly absent from the official results despite her being awarded third place after raising an objection.
This has become particularly important because the official results are understood to be the basis for determining the swimmers eligible for the upcoming Asian Masters Championships in Bangalore.
Will Rashmi Be Eligible For The Asian Masters?
The situation has therefore raised a specific question: If Rashmi was awarded bronze in an event with only three swimmers, but her name does not appear in the official results, will she be considered eligible for the Asian Masters Championships?
If the qualification is determined strictly on the basis of the official results, the absence of her name could potentially create an issue.
At the same time, if the organisers subsequently recognise her bronze-medal finish and amend the official results, the qualification position could be different.
For now, the key question is whether Rashmi’s result will be officially incorporated into the results used for Asian Masters qualification.
The case also highlights the importance of having a clear and transparent process when a swimmer is stopped during a race and subsequently awarded a position or medal.
With the Asian Masters Championships scheduled to take place in Bangalore in October, swimmers are seeking clarity on whether such results will count towards qualification.
The issues involving Rashmi Vyas and Priyanka Kumari add another layer to the broader concerns raised by Masters swimmers following the Bahadurgarh championship over planning, scheduling, race management and transparency.
Rashmi Vyas has also raised her concerns directly with the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) through email.
However, at the time of publication, Rashmi said that she had not received a response from SFI regarding the concerns she raised about her 200m butterfly event, her result and the subsequent award of the bronze medal.
Whistle Followed by Buzzer at Race Starts
Swimmers also raised concerns about the sequence of signals used to start races during the championship.
According to participants, the whistle was being blown first, followed by the electronic buzzer/start signal. Swimmers questioned the use of this sequence, particularly because athletes are required to respond to a clear and consistent start signal during competition.
The concern was that having an additional whistle immediately before the electronic starting signal could create confusion among swimmers about which signal marks the actual start of the race.
Participants have therefore questioned whether the same standard starting procedure was being followed consistently throughout the championship.
As with the other concerns raised by swimmers, clarification from the organisers regarding the starting procedure would help establish exactly how the races were being started and whether the procedure was in accordance with the applicable competition regulations.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Sanuj Srivastava (@swimmingbysanuj)
Slippery Pool Deck Raises Safety Concerns After Two Bengal Swimmers Suffer Injuries
Concerns over athlete safety have also emerged following injuries reportedly suffered by two swimmers from Bengal during the championships.
According to swimmers present at the venue, there were no mats in certain areas around the pool, including near the starting blocks. The pool deck was also being used as a sitting area, which reportedly resulted in swimmers having to move through an area that was frequently wet and difficult to navigate.
Swimmers said that water accumulating on the tiles made the surface considerably slippery and that mats should have been placed around areas where athletes were regularly walking, particularly near the starting blocks.
Two Bengal swimmers in the 25–29 age group reportedly suffered injuries after slipping near the starting-block area.
Sagnik Sinha, competing in the 25–29 age group, reportedly slipped near the starting blocks and suffered an injury to his arm.
Another Bengal swimmer, Sunanda Datta, also reportedly slipped in the starting-block area and suffered an injury to her leg.
According to swimmers, the incidents highlighted concerns about the condition of the pool deck and the lack of adequate anti-slip protection in an area where athletes are constantly moving in and out of the pool.
The concern is particularly significant at a swimming championship, where water inevitably reaches the surrounding deck area. Swimmers argued that appropriate anti-slip mats should be provided around the pool, especially near starting blocks and other high-traffic areas, to reduce the risk of athletes slipping and sustaining injuries.
The incidents involving Sinha and Datta have therefore added to the broader concerns being raised by swimmers about basic safety arrangements and venue management at the Bahadurgarh National Masters Championships.
Rain Leaves Sitting Area Flooded
The concerns over the venue facilities were further highlighted when rain reportedly left the designated sitting area flooded.
According to swimmers, the area being used for spectators and swimmers to sit was not adequately protected from the rain. Following rainfall, water accumulated in the sitting area, making it difficult for participants and spectators to use the space comfortably.
Swimmers had already raised concerns about the temporary nature of the sitting arrangements and the lack of adequate protection from the weather. The flooding following rain added to those concerns.
For a three-day national championship involving more than 1,200 swimmers, participants questioned whether the venue had been adequately prepared to handle weather conditions and provide basic facilities for athletes and spectators.
400m Individual Medley Event Moved to 25m Warm-Up Pool
The scheduling and venue-management issues also reportedly affected the 400m Individual Medley (IM) event.
According to swimmers, the 400m IM, which is a long-course event, reached a point where it had to be conducted in the 25-metre warm-up pool.
The development raised questions among participants about the planning and management of the competition, particularly because the event was being conducted as part of a national championship.
Swimmers questioned how an event requiring a long-course competition pool reached a situation where the warm-up pool had to be used instead.
The incident has added to the concerns raised by participants regarding the availability and management of competition facilities during the Bahadurgarh championships.
4x50m Medley Relay Runs at 4:20 AM, Timing and Results Raise Questions
Another incident that has raised questions among swimmers concerns the Men’s 100–120 combined age-group 4x50m medley relay.
According to swimmers, the relay was scheduled as the final event of Day 2 but was conducted at approximately 4:20 am on Day 3, meaning the competition had already continued into the following morning.
The extremely late timing was not the only concern. Several participating swimmers told SwimSwam that the touchpad was not functioning during the relay and that normal timing procedures were not available. SwimSwam has not independently verified the condition of the timing system.
In the Men’s 100–120 age-group relay, swimmers reportedly had to provide their own timings, which were then used to fill in the timings on their certificates.
This has raised serious questions about the reliability and transparency of results at a national championship.
Electronic timing systems and trained timekeepers are fundamental components of a competitive swimming meet, particularly at a national-level event where results can have implications beyond medals, including qualification and official records.
The fact that a relay at a national championship was conducted around 4:20 am, without a functioning touchpad and with swimmers reportedly being asked for their own times, has left participants questioning the level of planning and race management at the event.
For Masters swimmers, who travel from different parts of the country and compete alongside their professional and family responsibilities, such circumstances can be particularly challenging.
The incident adds to the growing list of concerns raised by swimmers following the Bahadurgarh championships and raises a broader question: Can a national-level swimming championship maintain accurate, transparent and reliable results when basic timing and race-management systems are not functioning as expected?
Additional Questions Raised About Entries and Results
Apart from the concerns regarding scheduling, safety, qualification criteria and timing systems, swimmers have also raised several other allegations regarding the conduct and management of events at the championship.
Some swimmers have alleged that names of participants who were not present on the original entry list were added shortly before their respective events.
Another concerns the finishing positions of swimmers. According to claims circulating among participants, there were instances where an athlete who had finished third in a race was allegedly at risk of being moved to fourth place in the results.
These allegations, if substantiated, could raise questions about the transparency of the entry, seeding and results-management processes at the championship.
Swimmers have shared video clips and photographs with these Concerns, some of which are included below for context. The material has been shared by participants and has not been independently verified.
The allegations therefore require clarification from the organisers and the Swimming Federation of India, particularly regarding how entries were modified, how final results were recorded and what procedures were followed when swimmers raised objections to race results.
At a national championship, where official results can determine medals, rankings and qualification for international competitions, participants expect the entry and results process to be transparent and consistently applied.
Comparison With Hyderabad 2025
Bhagi also compared the Bahadurgarh championship with the 2025 National Masters Championships in Hyderabad.
He acknowledged that the Hyderabad competition also experienced delays at times, but said it was held at a proper sports complex and was considerably better organised overall.
He further stated that feedback had already been provided to the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) following the Hyderabad championship with the expectation that future competitions would improve.
According to Bhagi, the experience in Bahadurgarh felt like a step backwards rather than an improvement.
Masters Swimming Continues To Grow
The participation of more than 1,200 swimmers at the championship is nevertheless an important indication of the growing Masters swimming community in India.
Masters swimmers generally compete without the support structures available to professional athletes. They often pay for their own travel, accommodation and competition expenses while managing jobs and family responsibilities alongside training.
Bhagi’s letter therefore called for better planning rather than luxury facilities.
The concerns raised included basic organisation, hygiene, athlete safety, predictable scheduling and clarity in qualification rules.
Looking Ahead To Asian Masters Championships
The concerns come at an important time for Indian swimming, with India set to host the 2nd Asian Masters Championships in Bangalore in October 2026.
With swimmers from across Asia expected to participate, the organisation of the event will receive considerably greater attention.
Bhagi concluded his letter by expressing hope that the feedback from Bahadurgarh would be taken constructively and that there would be a mechanism to ensure that concerns raised by swimmers lead to actual improvements.
The 22nd National Masters Championships may have demonstrated the increasing strength and participation of Masters swimming in India. The challenge now is to ensure that the organisation and management of future national and international competitions grow at the same pace as the sport itself.
SwimSwam contacted the Swimming Federation of India and the event organizers seeking comment regarding the qualification changes, scheduling, race timing, athlete safety concerns and disputed results described in this report.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: 22nd National Masters Swimming Championships: Swimmers Raise Questions Over Planning, Scheduling and Management
Hence then, the article about 22nd national masters swimming championships swimmers raise questions over planning scheduling and management was published today ( ) and is available on swimswam ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 22nd National Masters Swimming Championships: Swimmers Raise Questions Over Planning, Scheduling and Management )
Also on site :