Siddarth Sethia
*Deputy Chief Minister inaugurates 2nd Asian Masters Swimming Championships 2026 in Bengaluru.
Sports teach us valuable lessons in life, particularly the importance of accepting both victory and defeat with equal grace, said Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara.
Speaking after inaugurating the 2nd Asian Masters Swimming Championships 2026 at PDCSE Dolphin Aquatics in Bengaluru on Sunday, Dr.Parameshwara said that participation in sports is not merely about winning medals but also about developing discipline, resilience and the ability to accept setbacks.
“Winning and losing are both part of life. Even when we lose, there is a lesson to learn. Sports teach us how to accept defeat and move forward.That is why, as sportspersons, we must learn to treat victory and defeat equally,” he said.
Congratulating the Indian athletes who have won medals at the Asian Games, Dr.Parameshwara appreciated their achievements and acknowledged the contributions of coaches, trainers and managers in their success.
He noted that Indian athletes had secured around 85 medals, including 21 gold medals, while Karnataka athletes had also made significant contributions to the country’s medal tally.
He further highlighted the State Government’s commitment to encouraging sporting excellence, stating that the government has enhanced the prize money for medal-winning athletes compared to previous occasions.
Appreciating the Karnataka Swimming Association for taking up the responsibility of hosting the international championship,Dr.Parameshwara said the association had established an impressive record by winning the national swimming championships 33 times.
He congratulated the association for its achievements and thanked the Swimming Federation of India for providing Karnataka with the opportunity to host the prestigious event.
Welcoming nearly 1,800 athletes participating from different parts of India and other Asian countries, the Deputy Chief Minister extended his best wishes to all competitors and expressed confidence that the championship would be a valuable sporting experience for everyone involved.
Dr.Parameshwara subsequently declared the 2nd Asian Masters Swimming Championships 2026 officially open.
The event was attended by Dr. K.Govindaraj,MLC and President of the Karnataka Olympic Association;Gopal Hosur,President of the Karnataka Swimming Association;Monal Choksi,Secretary General of the Swimming Federation of India;senior sports officials, international participants,athletes and other dignitaries.
