Swimming has long been identified as a necessary life skill for everyone, especially children in river-ridden Bangladesh. As a country abundant in water bodies, the likelihood of confronting water is inevitable and often unpredictable.
Whether willingly or by accident, the best means of survival when in water is knowing how to swim. Drowning has become one of the leading causes of death among children in Bangladesh.
According to statistics compiled from media reports, drowning claimed the lives of at least 3,533 people from January 2022 to May 2023, with children accounting for a staggering 87.71% of the casualties.
The alarming number underscores the urgency of teaching children to swim, a skill that could drastically reduce such incidents.
Feroza Karim Nili, acting general secretary of Sultana Kamal Women's Sports Complex in the capital, said swimming is an essential life skill, especially for children.
Sabina Yasmin, a trainer of the complex, believes that knowing how to swim increases the chances of saving lives if one accidentally falls into the water.
Experts highlight swimming as an excellent pastime for individuals across all age groups. Not only is it beneficial in reducing weight and ensuring the proper functioning of the heart and lungs, but also promotes mental well-being.
Rise of institutionalized swimming
Many Bangladeshi parents are teaching their children how to swim, and it has become one of the most popular extracurricular activities among the little ones.
However, with cities becoming more urbanized and natural reservoirs dwindling, the importance of institutionalized swimming training has come to the fore.
At the forefront of this swimming revolution is the Sultana Kamal Women's Sports Complex in the capital.
With around 20 sports on offer, swimming is the most sought-after, said Feroza Karim Nili.
“Our organization cares a lot about educating people about swimming. Many people come here to learn how to swim," she noted, underlining its vital importance in a riverine country like Bangladesh.
Children embrace water with enthusiasm
Children are increasingly taking up swimming as an after-school activity, drawn not just by the allure of the water but also its manifold benefits.
Farzad, a third-grade student who takes swimming lessons at the Sultana Kamal Women's Sports Complex, encapsulates this growing enthusiasm among children.
"I learn to swim here five days a week. I am very happy to learn how to swim now,” he said.
Parents' viewpoint
Parents, too, are heartened by the emphasis on swimming.
The ability to swim is crucial for every child, according to Nawsheen Farhana, a mother who sends her kids to the Sultana Kamal Women's Sports Complex for swimming lessons.
She claims that if her children can swim, they will not be terrified of the water.
About Sultana Kamal Women's Sports Complex, she said: “This is a safe place for my children. Swimming can be learned here with great care and at a relatively low cost.”
Challenges and plans
To make swimming popular as a sport, the authorities of Sultana Kamal Women's Sports Complex organize annual swimming tournaments.
However, they aspire to get more support as they believe increased funding for these tournaments will make these events flourish more and thus turn swimming into a more recognized activity.
“We need to spend more time with every athlete, especially those who are dedicated. And this matter needs to start from a very early age. So, we put a lot of emphasis on making children understand the importance of swimming. We have two batches where swimming is taught, and children learn here enthusiastically,” said Feroza Karim Nili.
At this complex, learning to swim costs a student around Tk4,000 per month. However, Feroza Karim Nili is keen on lowering this amount and making arrangements for short-term free swimming training.
She believes that learning to swim is crucial for everyone. Therefore, reducing costs or providing free training is necessary to raise interest in and awareness of swimming among people.
