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Bengaluru Boy wins scholarship from Singapore School, eyes swimming Olympics
Highlights
Parents, especially Asian parents, usually emphasise on academic achievements at school. Other activities such as sports, arts and music are pushed to the back seat in a competitive education environment.
SINGAPORE: Parents, especially Asian parents, usually emphasise on academic achievements at school. Other activities such as sports, arts and music are pushed to the back seat in a competitive education environment. However, there are some parents who go against the grain and will provide utmost support for their children to develop their talent and passion in these areas. They strive to find a balance between academic achievements and their child’s passion.
Arnav Divaker is one such fortunate student and both his parents placed priority on his passion for swimming when searching for a school. Prior to relocating to Singapore, Arnav was part of the swimming team at the Karnataka state in India. A multi-award winning swimmer, he has won a total of 107 medals to date, including a new personal best time of 29.75 seconds in the 50m butterfly event in 2014. Arnav was also a member of the 100m and 200m freestyle Karnataka relay teams that hold the current National records in India in his age-group categories.
When his mother was offered a job in Singapore in 2014, Arnav moved to Singapore from the city of Bengaluru in Karnataka with his parents and enrolled in an international school. After a couple of months, he began to research alternative school options because he wanted a school that offers a more balanced approach towards both academics and sports. He chanced upon GEMS World Academy (Singapore) (GWA Singapore) and was duly impressed by GWA Singapore’s holistic approach towards sports and education. Arnav was also excited about the school’s facilities, especially the Olympic-size swimming pool. Currently a Grade 9 student, 15-year old Arnav was accorded a sports scholarship at GWA Singapore based on his outstanding athletic performances. GWA Singapore scholars are chosen based on their outstanding ability and attitude across a range of disciplines such as sports, arts, academics and entrepreneurship.
Beaming with enthusiasm, Arnav shared his thoughts on the school. “The teachers are specialists in what they do and have been sportsmen and sportswomen themselves, so they are able to understand what I’m going through and are able to help me excel as a swimmer and a student. I have been receiving tremendous support from the school and the teachers. Mr Steve Betts, who is the Aquatic Coordinator of the school and an ex-Olympic coach, has offered to give me stroke-specific training to improve my techniques.”
His mother, Ms Mona Dange, appreciates that Arnav is able to pursue his passion for swimming without compromising on his studies. She says, “GWA Singapore understands and supports Arnav in his endeavor to be an excellent sportsperson and student. His counsellors in school are also speaking to him about his further education options that will allow him to focus on both sports and academics and are helping him build relationships with these education institutions.”
Arnav’s dream is to represent India at the Olympics and he is inspired by Olympic medallists, Michael Phelps and Aaron Peirsol.
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