Huge prospects for water sports in Bhopal: Admiral Lamba

Bhopal: The Chief of Indian Navy and president of Yachting  Association of India, Admiral Sunil Lamba today officially announced commencement of six-day Raja Bhoj Multiclass Sailing Championship at Water Sports Centre at Upper Lake. State Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Smt Yashodhara Raje Scindia chaired the inaugural session. On the occasion, honorary general secretary of Yachting Association of India, commodore Atul Anand, president of Asian Sailing Federation Dr. Malav Shroff, Chairman S.P.D.C. Ashok Thakkar, Secretary Sports Sachin Sinha, director, sports and youth welfare Upendra Jain, commissioner, Bhopal division, Ajatshatru Shrivastava, commandant of 3EME centre, Brig Rajiv Sahni, Arjun Award recipient and chief sports coach sailing G.L. Yadav, sports coach and players were present. Chief Gust of the function, Admiral Sunil Lamba, sports minister Smt Yashodhara Raje Scindia and other guests sailed in a boat and conducted close inspection of practice session of players.

 Around 250 sports and officers of the country are participating in the sailing championship. Ten events will be held on different boats under the competition. Sailing players will demonstrate their skills every day between 8.30 am and 11.30 am and 2 pm and 5 pm. The championship is being held at wide scale first time in Bhopal.

Players should make water sports passion

Indian Naval Chief and president of Yachting Association of India, Admiral Sunil Lamba in his speech, said that he felt great happiness in visiting the city of lakes. It is also great pleasure to know that the first sailing school of the country started here in the year 2006 and its players bagged medals at national and international levels. Lauding State Government's cooperation and Sports Minister's efforts, he said that sports department is promoting water sports in better manner. Admiral Sunil Lamba assured cooperation at most from Yachting Association of India. He said that water sport is not only a sports but an adventure in which players get boost and physical development. He encouraged players to make the water sports a passion, removing fear from water.

 Addressing the function, State Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Smt Yashodhara Raje Scindia said that water sports academy started in 2006-07 established its different identity in the country. Thanks to coaching and sports facility of international level, our players made Madhya Pradesh national champion in kayaking-canoeing and rowing. Referring example of players - Shaila Charles, Harshita Tomar, Uma Chouhan, Ram Milan Yadav, the sports minister said that players of rural background are creating success story by their performance in the sports. The minister feted Admiral Sunil Lamba.

 Director, Sports and Youth, Upendra Jain delivered welfare speech in the beginning and said that high level training is being imparted to players in all streams of water sports in the water sports academy of Bhopal, a sole one in the country. He proposed thanks of the guests. Mementos were presented to the guests.-WTN