The Maharashtra government on Friday allowed fully vaccinated swimmers to practise in pools for competitive events, a day after a dejected Swimming Association of Maharashtra decided to have trials in Gujarat. However, the association said the move will benefit only about 10 per cent of swimmers as most such athletes are below 18 years of age who are ineligible for vaccination. It will therefore stick to its plan of practising in Ahmedabad.

In a press briefing in Pune, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that swimmers who have completed their vaccination and the 14-day cooling period will be allowed to enter pools across the state for competitive reasons. Coaches said this could have come much earlier.