Swimming pools witness less turnout due to Ramzan

Pune: This summer, swimming pools in Pune are witnessing a low turnout of people due to the ongoing month of Ramzan, which started from May 7. During Ramzan, a lot of Muslims, who fast, prefer not to go inside the swimming pool. 

Due to this reason, there is a low turnout of people and swimming pools are also receiving requests from them to adjust their fees post Ramzan.

Nishikant Mandlik, Management Team Member, Veer Savarkar Swimming Pool, said in Kondhwa they are witnessing low turnout due to the ongoing  Ramzan. He said, “As Kondhwa is majorly a Muslim dominated area, Ramzan’s effect is maximum on our pool. A lot of Muslims do not come for swimming, as they fast and do not want to enter in water as they fear they might consume the water. Due to this, we are facing huge loss and this will continue till June 6. Following this, monsoon will start and again there will be fewer people coming for swimming.”

Similarly, Atul Wagh, Manager of a swimming pool at Shivaji Rao Bhosale Aquatic & Health Club in Shivajinagar, is also experiencing less turnout at the swimming pool this summer. 

He said, “Due to Ramzan, less people are coming this summer, as a lot of our members, who are Muslims, are constantly asking us to adjust the fees and shift it post Ramzan.”

Riyaz Tamboli, resident of Brahma Emerald County, NIBM road, said, “As we are fasting during Ramzan and do not eat or drink anything since morning, our body is weak. Thus, we prefer not to indulge in physical exercise, as it causes exertion on our body. Sometimes, while swimming, there are chances that water might go inside the mouth and it will eventually break our fast, thus we avoid it.”

“My children, who were enrolled in swimming classes, have stopped going because of the same reason and also because no elders will be able to accompany them as they are fasting and prefer staying indoors,” added Tamboli

Dr Fouzia Shaikh said, “High-intensity exercises like swimming should be avoided, particularly if you have yet to break the fast. Doing slow or moderate exercises like jogging, a brisk walk is advised. While swimming, there are also chances of drinking water, which can break the fast.”