PRESS RELEASE - 5th Nov.'12

PRESS RELEASE

PARALYMPIC SWIMMING ASSOCIATION OF TAMILNADU (PSATN)

Ripples 2012 set to bring all-India Paralympics to Tamil Nadu  

November 5 2012: Ripples 2012 - the 12th National Paralympics Swimming and Water polo Championship - is scheduled to be held at the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu Aquatic Stadium in Chennai from 6 December to 9 December 2012. The event is hosted by the Paralympic Swimming Association of Tamil Nadu (PSATN), a registered body functioning as the Tamil Nadu chapter of the Paralympics Swimming Federation of India, with its headquarters at Gwalior.

 Over 400 physically-challenged participants across India – north, south, east and west – will arrive on 6 December 2012 and will be housed at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT M) campus where food, accommodation and travel will be provided. At the event to be held at the SDAT Aquatic Complex in Velachery (Chennai), nearly 1500 spectators, including school and college students, are expected during the 3-day competition to support and cheer these heroic sports persons. Ripples 2012 is all set to be a grand spectacle with support from many official corners, with PSATN having invited many VVIPs from all over India for the opening and closing ceremony.

 The Government of Tamil Nadu, primarily the departments of Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Welfare of Differently-Abled and Sports Development Authority. have been a pillar of support in terms of providing administrative support to the PSATN. Added to that, the National Institute of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD) has come forward to generate awareness on this event.

 The event is also comprehensively supported by organisations such as Scope International Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered Bank UK, which will be providing 1200 employee volunteers to assist the participants, and have been supporting in areas of branding and communication of Ripples 2012. The management of Indian Institute of Technology (Madras) - who have offered to provide accommodation and food (subsidized costs) at their own sprawling campus. The Yes We Too Can foundation (set up to promote hydrotherapy and its impact on the physically-challenged) - which has been playing a valuable role in garnering support for this event. Furthermore, Oriental Cuisines Pvt Ltd has also offered to provide lunch for all the participants and their attendants for all four days of the event.  

The trial selection for short listing participants for Tamilnadu State for the National event is scheduled to be held on 11 November 2012 at SDAT Aquatic Complex, Velachery, Chennai at 9AM. Application along with medical certificate can be handed over in person  also at the pool on the same day. Application can be  downloaded from our website www.ywtc.org.

About PSATN 

The Paralympic Swimming Association of Tamil Nadu was formed with the sole purpose of encouraging the physically-challenged in Tamil Nadu, especially children, to adopt the positive effects of hydrotherapy and in turn take to swimming as a past-time sport. In addition to improving the physical health, PSATN also leverages hydrotherapy to inculcate a spirit of camaraderie, sportsmanship, adventure and morale boosting”.

Background

In December 2011, a few TN-based physically-challenged swimmers took part in a national-level competition conducted at Kolhapur by the Paralympic Swimming Federation of India. These four participants won a total of 4 Gold and 4 Silver Medals and 2 Championships in their first ever venture – an achievement which paved the way for the formation of the Paralympic Swimming Association of Tamil Nadu (PSATN). Mr Narsa Reddy, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, is its Chief Patron who came forward to support the cause with enthusiasm and generosity. The management of the Association comprise Dr Remadevi as the President, Mrs Uthira Ramachandran as the Vice President, Ms Madavi Latha as the General Secretary and Mrs Preetha as the Treasurer. These are not just women of high repute, but who are breaking barriers as physically-challenged achievers. PSATN is also ably supported by Mr Sai Krishnan, as the Joint Secretary, Dr Anand Jothi, as the Technical Director and Dr Leonard Ponraj as the Medical Director. 

Within the first year of its formation, and when still in its nascent stage, the PSATN has taken on the huge responsibility of hosting Ripples 2012 – a national level swimming competition. It is about to set up a platform to enable the future of Paralympics in Tamil Nadu.

Seeking Financial Support

PSATN is looking forward eagerly to like-minded bodies and organisations to willingly come forward and contribute generously for the noble cause and events thereof.

Thank You and JAIHIND

P Madhavi Latha

General Secretary

Paralympic Swimming Assn of Tamilnadu

Email ID: paraswimtn@yahoo.in

Website: www.ywtc.org