Teen swimmer Arjun Santosh splashes into a new school

Kochi: The Sports Authority of India has kept its promise to teenager Arjun Santosh, 14, who used his swimming skills to spearhead a public movement that resulted in the state government sanctioning a bridge to the island of Perumpalam in Alappuzha district. He  has enrolled in the swimming scheme at SAI-Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education at  Karyavattom, Thiruvananthapuram. He will  continue his studies at MV HSS, Thundathil, near the SAI centre, from next week.

“Arjun will join the ninth standard in his new school on Monday,” said P.G. Santhosh, father of the boy. “He was given a rousing farewell in his old school, KPM HSS,  Poothotta, on Friday,”  he said. Arjun, who has won medals in the Ernakulam district swimming championship, was trained by his father. He can now continue his training under three SAI coaches. Principal of LNCPE Dr. G. Kishore said that  they’ve found a genuine talent, though   by accident.

“Arjun has immense potential as a swimmer and the fighting mentality in him will  help him become a good competitive swimmer,” said Dr. Kishore. “I’ve told him that he has achieved his mission and so  he must put aside the protests and begin training sincerely. We’ll give him the best facilities available here and if he gives his 100 per cent, he can be someone like Sajan Prakash (Kerala swimmer who has qualified for Rio Olympics),” added Dr. Kishore.

Arjun grabbed the attention when he started a protest mission on June 1 by swimming nearly 2.5 km daily to his school from his island. His entire village of 12,000-plus inhabitants cheered him and the government eventually agreed by earmarking Rs. 100 crore for constructing a bridge, the first to the island.