Kathmandu, July 30

Star swimmer Shirish Gurung inaugurated the swimming pool here at Dhanyentari Sports Pvt Ltd in Dhumbarahi.

Dhanyentari added the swimming pool in its facility two years after opening the futsal arena. President of Dhanyentari Sports, Madan Koirala honoured Gurung, who is set to participate in the Rio Olympic Games slated for August 5-21 in Brazil. Koirala handed over a token of love and Rs 11,111 to Gurung.

Gurung said he had started swimming from a local pool before shifting to International Sports Complex pool in Lalitpur. “I had started swimming from a 25-metre pool like this 13 years ago,” said Gurung.

“I hope this pool will help the aspiring swimmers to be a player,” added Gurung, who has broken national for 45 times. Currently he holds 12 individual and two relay national records.

According to Koirala, the swimming pool was constructed with the budget of Rs 25 million. “The pool is different to others as we have used French technology of rubber liner in place of tiles to reduce accidents and we have WHO-standard water purifier,” said Koirala.

“We can also conduct age-group tournaments in the pool which is 15X25m. And we have the facility of using the pool at nights.”

Koirala also felicitated the individuals who helped Dhanyentari Sports in constructing the pool and futsal. Nepal Swimming Association General Secretary Jagat Man Shrestha was also present on the occasion.

Dhanyentari Sports has planned to add indoor cricket, gym hall, aerobics, jumba, indoor badminton, basketball and car wash facilities in future.