Srinagar: The fourth day of the ongoing 23rd Sub-junior and 5th Inter State Challenger National Rowing Championship witnessed competition of all the qualifying races at SKICC, Dal Lake here on Friday.
With championship in full flow, the heats or the qualifying races in the categories were completed on Friday and the stage is set for the final day finale.
The final races of the championship in both sub-junior and senior categories would be held on Saturday followed by closing ceremony in which prizes would be distributed.
The event was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor J&K, Manoj Sinha on Tuesday and in it around 700 players and officials belonging to 25 States, Union Territories from different parts of Country are participating.
The event is being conducted by J&K Rowing and Sculling Association under the auspices of Rowing Federation of India and sponsored by J&K Sports Council, Khyber with active support from J&K Police, Tourism, J&K Adminstration, Health, LAWDA, SKICC, SDRF, NDRF and SMC.
Terming the event as historic and eye opener ,Associate Vice President of RFI, Balaji Maradapa said, “I have roamed all over the World and have taken part in biggest events of Rowing sports. I can without doubt say that Kashmir has got best setting and natural resource for the bigger events like World Rowing Championships”.
“It is first time ever that Rowing competition has been held in Kashmir and it is first time ever we are witnessing such a place with such natural resources which are perfect for the Sport. Dal Lake is at par with Switzerland where majority of the Rowing World events are being held,” he said.
He said that RFI is contemplating on to hold bigger events in J&K and this event has opened Kashmir to World Rowing sport.
“With this event all the athletes, officials, experts of Rowing in India have got first time experience of how it is being in Kashmir. Every one has been left spellbound by Kashmir’s beauty and natural resources which are perfect for top level Rowing competitions,” he added.
