Srinagar, November : The first of its kind J&K Indoor Rowing championship organised by J&K Rowing and Sculling Association in collaboration with J&K Tourism concluded at Nigeen Club Srinagar on Sunday, November 29.
The two day championship saw massive participation from 13 districts of J&K including Jammu who joined through online.
It was first time a J&K level Indoor Rowing competition , which is basically associated with watersports was held. For the competition, Association used rowing machines. An indoor rower, or rowing machine, is a machine used to simulate the action of watercraft rowing for the purpose of exercise or training for rowing. Indoor rowing has become established as a sport in its own right.
As the water sports remain mostly inactive during winter months, Rowing Association under patronage of its President Navin Choudhary has brought in 10 Indoor Rowing Machines worth Rupees 10 lakhs.
In the first J&K Rowing Championship, Srinagar emerged as overall winner with maximum number of medals while District Bandipora bagged overall second place. Jammu District that was taken part through online bagged two medals. All the other participating districts bagged atleast one medal.
Director Industries Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah was chief guest on the occasion and distributed prizes amoung the winners.
He was impressed with the participation of athletes from far flung areas like Kupwara in the event and hailed organisers for the new initiative.
“I am impressed to see players from districts like Kupwara, Shopian and Bandipora also actively taking part in the water sports events. It is good for the overall growth of the sport, ” Said Mahmood Shah.
“It is first time that I am seeing watersport event being held indoor and it widens the scope of holding the events throughout the year. Normally during harsh winter months watersport used to come to standstill but now that will not be the case. Our youth who during winter months remain indoors glued to their cellphones now can take part in activities like this. It is good and I am hopeful that more such equipments are brought and more events are being held throughout winter, ” He added.