Hyderabad: Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan inaugurated the “Multi Class Sailing Championship” at Sailing Annexe of Hussain Sagar here on Monday.
The event is being jointly organised by the EME Sailing Association (EMESA) and Secunderabad Sailing Club under the aegis of Laser Class Association of India supported by Sports Authority of Telangana State.
Sports Authority of Telangana State Vice Chairman & MD A Dinakar Babu, IAS, Secunderabad Club President Shashidhar Batchu, Secunderabd Club Vice President Vivek Jaisimha and Birigadier (Retd) Jagdish Singh, IJ, Incharge Jury were among other dignitaries who attended the inaugural ceremony.
Lieutenant General KK Aggarwal, Commodore EME Sailing Association, in his opening address, said, “The response this year had been tremendous with the number of entries breaking the record set by this event only last year.
A total of 201 entries from different associated clubs registering for the championship had been received, out of which 17 are in the women’s category.
A total of seven participants are from Telangana”. He mentioned that there would surely be a healthy competition in the highest traditions of sportsmanship and he was sanguine that there would be fair Sailing all through the Sailing week.
Many trophies are at stake at the event including Late Lieutenant Commander Kelly S Rao Trophy, Rolling Trophy by Secunderabad Club, YAI Katari Bowl and number of individual medals to be won.
“The Government of Telangana had been giving many incentives for the sport of sailing and the vast expanse of Hussain Sagar Lake in the twin cities had proved to be a nursery for Champion sailors, many of whom have achieved National and International acclaim,” the Governor said.
He appreciated the efforts being put in by the Laser Class Association of India (LCAI) and Sports Authority of Telangana State and the host clubs in making the event a grand success over the years,”.
As the event enters its 32nd year, more than 200 participants are expected to compete in races including a sizeable number of women sailors. Major General Paramjit Singh, Vice Commodore, EMESA, said “This year, a record number of entries have been received for any Senior/Olympic Class event in the country and addition of Olympic Finn Class has further added to the excitement at this mega event”.
EME Sailing Association was formed in the year 1964. The sailing association has produced a number of medal winners both at National and International level.
In the year 1986 LCAI was founded with a view to promote sailing in the Country. Since then, the event has been conducted continuously for the last 32 years and is popularly known as “Hyderabad Sailing week”. (INN)