Building a pathway for Indian Swimmers to shine at 2036 Olympics: Game Theory's Partha Varanashi

Add as a preferred source on Google

Game Theory, a pioneering force transforming the sports experience through innovative technology, recently appointed Partha Varanashi as the Technical Swimming Director.

In this role, Mr Varanashi will be instrumental in leading the evolution of swimming training methodologies at Game Theory, aligning them with the strategic vision of shaping future champions for the Olympic Games and elevating swimmers from foundational skills to elite competitive levels.

Mr Varanashi has a rich and diverse professional background as a champion swimmer and an expert in aquatic education. His accolades include serving as the swimming coach in the FINA World Championship in Gwangju, General Secretary of Surf Life Saving India, and Swim Coaching Director and Coordinator at State Swim Morphette in Australia.

He boasts an impressive record of winning 18 Gold Medals in National Masters Championships, 50 Gold Medals in State Swim Meets, and 10 Gold Medals in Aussie Masters events. Additionally, he has participated in three FINA Masters World Championships in Montreal and Budapest. His experience in mentoring swimming coaches is equally commendable, having trained over 210 swim teachers and 300 surf lifesavers.

In his new role, Mr Varanashi will focus on refining and expanding Game Theory's swimming programs, which uniquely integrate cutting-edge technology with advanced teaching frameworks.

In an interaction with myKhel, Partha Varanashi shared his vision and plans for harnessing the young swimming talents in the country with the 2036 Olympics in mind.

He discussed how he plans to integrate his vast experience in swimming education and coaching into Game Theory's existing programs, and how he intends to contribute to the development of future champions in swimming as India aims for a robust bid for the 2036 Olympics. Here are the excerpts:

Q. What motivated you to join Game Theory as the Technical Swimming Director, and what do you hope to achieve in this role?

Ans: Joining Game Theory as the Technical Swimming Director was motivated by the company's ambitious long-term vision to train Indian swimmers for the Olympic Games, specifically targeting the 2036 Olympics. This vision aligns perfectly with my passion for advancing swimming techniques and preparing athletes for international competition.

In this role, I am committed to laying a solid foundation for our athletes and illuminating a clear path towards achieving these lofty goals. My primary focus will be on developing a comprehensive long-term athlete development plan. This entails training our aquatic educators and coaches to deliver these programs with the highest quality.

We aim to ensure that every swimmer willing to dedicate themselves has a fighting chance to compete at the Olympics. This is about fostering talent and revolutionising swim training approaches by integrating cutting-edge technology and innovative training methodologies to enhance our swimmers' learning experience and performance.

Q. How do you plan to integrate your vast experience in swimming education and coaching into Game Theory's existing programs?

Ans: My journey in the aquatic education industry spans over two decades, beginning with a significant foundational period in Australian swim schools. I occupied various roles ranging from lifeguard to program director.

Given Australia's leading status in aquatic education, my experiences there have equipped me with a profound understanding and a wealth of techniques I plan to integrate into Game Theory's programs.

Over the last decade in India, I have trained more than 500 swim teachers and coaches, being the first to present AUSTSWIM's Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety certification in the country.

At Game Theory, I aim to introduce a level of professionalism, depth in curriculum design, enhanced swim teacher training, and rigorous assessment procedures that are currently unprecedented in India. This will elevate the quality of aquatic education and ensure that safety is paramount in all our training programs.

I aim to leverage my extensive background to bring a holistic and innovative approach to our swim education, ensuring that Game Theory sets new standards in the industry.

Q. Can you elaborate on the unique aspects of Game Theory's swimming programs that set them apart from traditional swimming lessons?

Ans: Game Theory's swimming programs stand out significantly from traditional swimming lessons through several unique elements. Firstly, we are proud to offer the Michael Phelps swimming program, designed for and used by the most decorated swimmer in history.

This program isn't just about replicating training routines; it's enhanced by incorporating fun elements alongside a robust foundational focus on breathwork, buoyancy, body positioning, and mobility.

Unlike conventional methods that may rush learners through the basics, our program emphasises mastering foundational skills. We ensure that each skill is thoroughly learned and ingrained before progressing, reinforcing teachings and allowing for the completion of the learning loop. This meticulous approach provides the best opportunity for every swimmer to achieve top sporting performances, should they pursue swimming as a professional sport.

Moreover, even if our students decide against competitive swimming, they are left with graceful movement in the water and perfect stroke mechanics tailored to their body shape and size. This personalisation and attention to detail in skill development set Game Theory's swimming programs apart, offering a holistic and enriched learning experience beyond conventional swimming lessons.

Q. How do you envision the role of technology in shaping the future of swimming education, and what specific innovations do you plan to introduce at Game Theory?

Ans: The role of technology in swimming education is both transformative and central to the future of the sport, particularly in Game Theory. With our tech team's global experience, we are uniquely positioned to integrate advanced technological solutions into our training programs at a scale previously unseen in India.

One of the most exciting technologies we plan to introduce involves cameras and playback systems. These tools leverage mirror neuron learning, where swimmers can visually mimic correct techniques from an early age. This method will be applied for stroke corrections and primary learning, allowing young swimmers to accelerate their understanding and execution of swimming fundamentals.

Another drawcard we are eager to integrate is Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance our training programs. AI will help assess performance markers and track progression across our swim centres. This technology allows us to identify and nurture young talent early, minimising the impacts of human error and coach biases that can sometimes lead to potential talents dropping out.

Adding to the educational advancements, technology will play a crucial role in enhancing aquatic safety. By using systems that can identify risks and alert lifeguards more efficiently; we ensure a safer swimming environment for everyone. Incorporating these innovative technologies will enable our swim educators and coaches to provide the highest quality learning experience, setting new standards in the aquatic education landscape.

Q. With India aiming for a robust bid for the 2036 Olympics, how do you plan to contribute to the development of future champions in swimming?

Ans: At Game Theory, our commitment to India's 2036 Olympic bid is deeply integrated into our strategic vision and operational approach. We are adopting a comprehensive, bottom-to-top methodology, beginning at the grassroots level to foster a broad base of aquatic talent and steadily progressing to elite competitive levels.

Our program starts with instilling foundational skills in young swimmers, ensuring they receive a thorough education in breathwork, buoyancy, body positioning, and mobility. This foundation is crucial as it sets the stage for all future learning and development in swimming.

As swimmers progress, our training becomes increasingly sophisticated, incorporating advanced competitive techniques and strategies designed to excel at the highest levels of the sport.

Recognising the importance of a sustained development timeline, we know that the 12-year run-up to the 2036 Olympics is critical. It provides just enough time to prepare athletes from scratch, utilising the Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model, foundational to our training philosophy.

This model ensures that our athletes are developed methodically, emphasising achieving peak performance at the right time, which we believe is our solid shot at Olympic glory.

Integrating cutting-edge technology plays a pivotal role in this development process. Our use of video analysis, AI-driven performance tracking, and real-time feedback mechanisms allows us to refine techniques and accelerate the improvement of our swimmers.

This technology also helps identify and nurture potential Olympic champions early, ensuring that talents are recognised and developed with precision and care. Additionally, the Game Theory team provides an unparalleled support system that emphasises the importance of growth over premature performance. This approach helps prevent early burnout-a common challenge that often impedes the progress of Indian swimmers on the world stage.

Our swimmers benefit from consistent access to state-of-the-art facilities, ongoing education for coaches, and a sustainable business model backed by solid financial support. These factors collectively create an environment where athletes can thrive without undue pressure, allowing them to focus on each developmental milestone.

This blend of advanced pedagogy and technology ensures that we are not only preparing swimmers to compete but also meticulously crafting a pipeline of champions with the skills, knowledge, and support needed to succeed on the world stage. Our ultimate goal is to see these talents flourish, representing India at the Olympics and bringing glory to the nation with their performances.