India is set to welcome Asia’s top aquatic athletes in October 2025, as it plays host to the 11th Asian Swimming Championships at the newly built Naranpura Sports Complex in Ahmedabad.
This marks the return of the continental championship to India after a nine-year gap, and the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) is taking deliberate steps to ensure both strong organisation and a competitive home performance.
More than just a logistical exercise, the event is viewed as a significant opportunity for India to re-establish itself in Asian aquatics. While the regional powerhouses China, Japan, and South Korea are expected to dominate the pool events, India is looking to break new ground, especially in diving and water polo, disciplines that have long remained on the periphery of its international ambitions.
Divers Target Breakthrough
Diving is emerging as India’s most realistic shot at making the medal podium at this year’s championships. A targeted training program has been underway, with select divers spending a month in Malaysia to gain exposure to international standards and informal judging mechanisms. The emphasis has been on preparing them technically and mentally for the high standards of continental competition.
To bolster preparations, Australian coach Shannon Roy has been working closely with India’s synchronised diving team particularly in the men’s events, where medal hopes are centered. Originally, the divers were scheduled to compete in Australia as part of their build-up, but logistical issues around visa approvals led to a change in plans. The SFI is now actively exploring alternative international competitions to ensure the divers get some crucial match exposure before October.
While the diving team has historically remained under the radar, the current setup marked by structured training, foreign coaching, and focused investment reflects a renewed strategic direction. The athletes’ scores in recent simulations suggest realistic chances of making a podium finish, which would be a major boost for the sport in India.
Water Polo Eyes Asian Games Qualification
India’s water polo teams both men’s and women’s are undergoing a parallel revival. With the Asian Swimming Championships doubling up as a qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games, where the top six teams advance, there is renewed urgency to end the country’s prolonged absence from the event. India last competed in water polo at the Asian Games in 1986.
A long-term camp has been underway in Bengaluru since January, involving 25 men and 25 women. From this group, final squads of 14 athletes along with four reserves will be selected. To prepare them for the demands of international competition, the final phase of training will involve a high-performance exposure tour to Eastern Europe a region with deep expertise and competitive tradition in water polo.
There are plans to bring back foreign coaches who had previously worked with the Indian squads during the 2023 Asian Games build-up. Although the teams weren’t cleared for those Games, the foundational work done then is now being carried forward into this crucial qualifier.
Swimming Stars Anchor India’s Challenge
While diving and water polo may carry the weight of potential breakthroughs, India’s top swimmers remain central to its prospects. Leading the charge is Olympian Srihari Nataraj, who comes into the event after a productive national season.
Nataraj, a backstroke specialist and one of India’s most consistent performers over the last five years, recently added gold medals in the 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle at the 78th Senior National Aquatics Championships in Bhubaneswar. His form was further confirmed at the Singapore National Swimming Championships, where he clocked 1:48.66 in the 200m freestyle — eclipsing the previous national record set by Sajan Prakash.
Also expected to feature prominently are youngsters Benediction Rohit, Shoan Ganguly, and Aryan Nehra all of whom have posted encouraging times through the 2025 season. Though India’s swimmers remain outside the continental elite in most events, the growth in depth and competitive exposure is showing visible improvement.
A national training camp is scheduled to be held at the Naranpura venue over the two months leading into the competition. With this, athletes will be able to acclimate to the pool and conditions, helping bridge the psychological gap between training and race-day performance.
Organisational Test for SFI
Hosting the Asian Swimming Championships is also a statement of intent by the Swimming Federation of India. After a period of relative inactivity on the global hosting front, this championship is being seen as a revival moment for the sport’s administrative vision in the country. The newly built Naranpura Sports Complex a facility of Olympic standards will be at the centre of that ambition, with events spanning swimming, diving, water polo, and artistic swimming.
The decision to bid for and host the championships also reflects India’s broader goal of becoming a regular organiser of international aquatic events a move that can boost domestic interest and provide home advantage for Indian athletes competing at this level.
As October approaches, the Indian aquatics fraternity finds itself cautiously optimistic. With preparation camps, international exposure, and targeted coaching now in place, the focus will be on execution and temperament. Medals in diving and competitive placements in water polo could signal a turning point in how India approaches non-swimming aquatic disciplines.
Even if the medal tally remains modest, the 2025 Asian Swimming Championships could mark the start of a new trajectory one built on long-term planning, decentralised athlete development, and strategic global integration. For Indian aquatics, this is not just another event; it’s a platform to recalibrate ambitions and re-enter the continental conversation.
