World swimming champion Liam Tancock, a Britisher, is set to conduct a major clinic in Sri Lanka starting today and hopefully be able to identity talent and future swimmers for the island.
Tancock’s first lessons will be worked off today at the British School in Colombo from where he will move on to conduct classes until June 27 at the Sugathadasa stadium in Colombo while completing a four-day clinic.
Tancock is a 50-metre backstroke champion and Olympic Gold medalist who also won four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games.
The swimmers who will follow the classes have been invited from schools all over the island between the ages of 10 and 18. The project is being handled by Ceylon Tours spearheaded by former schools swimmer Tracy Francis who functions as the Business Development Officer, Sports Projects. She is the sister of ex-Sri Lanka Olympian Conrad Francis who is now on a coaching stint in China.
“Based on what we have identified as future talent and our next generation of swimmers, we are treating all of them in the same way where they can mingle with one another and learn the finer points of swimming. The project is open to all schools”, said Tracy Francis. One of the guiding lights to identity potential swimmers was former Sri Lanka gold-medal winning swimmer Julian Bolling.
“Essentially what we will be doing is to look at the skill levels of swimmers that will help in their mind development while at the same time talking to their coaches. For me it is a case of giving back to swimming what swimming gave to me”, said Tancock as he launched the project at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo under the patronage of Sports Minister Faiser Mushtapha. Minister Mushtapha noted that the project was what Sri Lanka needed to march ahead with the future in mind. “Technical advice is very essential these days and I think we are moving in the right direction”, said Minister Mushtapha.
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