Swimming Federation of India

The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) is the central governing body for promotion and administration of swimming sport in India. The SFI is affiliated to FINA, the world governing body for the sport. SFI was formed after the amalgamation of its predecessors - the National Swimming Association (NSA) and the Indian Swimming Federation (ISF). The two rival associations were at loggerheads over affiliation issues. While the Kolkata-based NSA got affiliation from FINA in 1932-33, the ISF was supported by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). After much mudslinging, the issue was resolved in 1948, with the intervention of then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and consequently, the Swimming Federation of India came into being.

Like several other sports bodies, the SFI was established to promote the respective sport in India. However, the poor emphasis on scientific training of the budding swimmers in India, inadequate infrastructure, indifferent planning and programming has led to the downfall of Indian swimmers. Moreover, SFI has failed miserably in raising the standards of the Indian swimmers, who are desperately looking for a good platform to display their talent and gain international repute. The haphazard and out-dated training methods have added to the lack of outstanding talents in the sport. Nevertheless, SFI remains the apex body for swimming in India, with the responsibility of the game, in the country.