Srinagar: Department of Tourism Kashmir Friday gave away certificates to around 200 swimmers after successfully completing the course at Nigeen Water Sports Center.
The department started swimming coaching camp at Nigeen Water Sports Center in the month of June for non-swimmers which received overwhelming response from the locals.
Hundreds of people of different age groups attended the camp out of which 200 were trained successfully.
While distributing the certificates among participants, Director Tourism Kashmir, Mahmood A Shah said the need for imparting swimming skills to the locals was felt after the floods struck Valley in September 2014.
“During the floods, we realized how important the swimming is. Those who were good at swimming were at the forefront in rescue operations. Locals also felt that they should learn swimming. As we possess necessary infrastructure here, we decided to organize swimming classes for locals,” said Director Tourism.
While addressing the trainees in the camp, he said the Department started coaching camp last year for short period adding that this year camp was extended for two months due to large response from the locals.
The camp which was scheduled to conclude Friday was extended on the insistence of locals, the Director extended the camp for till the end of this month.
The department has kept necessary manpower and equipments ready at the water sports center for any exigency.
President Adventure Tour Operators Association of Kashmir (ATOAOK) who was also present at the function appreciated the efforts of the Tourism Department in conducting such camps.
