Swimming and the national pool

I refer to recent correspondence (January 4) between Maurice M. Gruppetta, executive chairman of the national pool and journalist Jesmond Dalli who had written before in The Times (December 27).

I fully support Mr Dalli's criticism as I experience all the shortcomings mentioned in the national pool complex on a daily basis when I take my children to train and participate in swimming meetings. Some of the pool tiling is coming off and the area surrounding the pool itself leaves much to be desired. As stated by Mr Dalli, the probability is that such shortcomings would be remedied in time for the forthcoming Small Nations Games.

It is true there were delays during the swim meet of last December and this can be confirmed by whoever was present at that meet. It was very cold at the pool, even with warm clothes on, so you can imagine what the youngsters felt when they had to wait in just their swimming trunks and their already wet gown.

Justified criticism is also that relating to the timing equipment. It is not the first time that this equipment went haywire and coaches and parents saw the frustrated and angry look on the swimmers' faces when the board failed to record their time, which could possibly be their personal best.

Heating of the pool also leaves much room for improvement. The pool has recently not been heated enough and some swimmers, especially the very young ones, could not cope with the cold water and had to abandon their training sessions. The administration has to appreciate the dedication of these young swimmers and of their coaches who go to the pool very early in the morning or late in the evening on cold wintry days when temperatures are low and it is pouring with rain.

If we really have sport at heart and want our swimmers to succeed, we have to ensure that they are provided with the best amenities. It is easy to say that there are hundreds of very young swimmers going to the national pool, but the question is how many of these "hundreds" have the stamina and will-power to continue practising swimming against all these odds.