Dronacharya, Padma Shri, Arjuna awardees call on Advisor Farooq Khan; Advisor says water sports to get major boost in J&K

SRINAGAR: The team deputed by Rowing Federation of India comprising Dronacharya awardee Ismail Baig besides Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee Bajrang Lal Thakar today called on Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan and discussed variety of issues concerning the game.

Pertinently, Ismail Baig and Lal Thakar are presently in Srinagar to supervise the facilities being extended to the participants during ongoing Rowing sports training at Sports complex Dal Lake, Srinagar.

Advisor was informed that the boats and ground installations are being fine tuned and safety measures are being inspected to ensure safety of the trainees.

Advisor termed the training programme as a great beginning for youth of the region which will go down in the history as one of the major milestones towards development of Rowing sport in the Union Territory.

He appreciated the J&K Rowing Association for initiating establishment of the Water Sports Rowing Academy, a facility which is being supported by the Government of India with the active help of the Rowing Federation of India.

“Looking forward to have rowing in the lakes of Jammu and Kashmir divisions with our first Flat Water Championships,” the Advisor added.

The awardees suggested a number of measures for promotion of this potential sports in the UT besides lauding the efforts of Bilquis Mir, the force behind the Water Sports Centre and the J&K Association.

Rowing is a sport that involves use of a wooden paddle, known as an oar, to propel a long boat through water at high speeds in order to win a race. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious sports on the planet, with evidence suggesting the first rowing races may have occurred as long ago as the Egyptian era.