Asmita Rowing League for Women Poised for Historic Launch in Hyderabad
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Synopsis
The Asmita Rowing League, the first-ever city-based rowing competition for women in India, is set to begin in Hyderabad, featuring eight teams and aiming to promote women's participation in water sports.
Key Takeaways
- Inaugural city-based league for women's rowing in India.
- Eight teams competing in Under-19 and Under-23 categories.
- Cash prizes for top performers in five rowing events.
- Support from the Government of India’s Khelo India mission.
- Aims to encourage young girls to participate in water sports.
Hyderabad, February 25 (NationPress) In a groundbreaking move for the Olympic sport of rowing, the renowned Hussain Sagar Lake will host the nation’s inaugural city-based league – Asmita Rowing League – commencing on Wednesday (February 26). Eight teams will compete in this league, supported by the Government of India’s Khelo India mission.
The participating teams include Bhopal Waves Queen, Chennai Ranis, Cochin Queens, Cuttack Rowing, Deccan Queen Pune, Hyderabad Queen, Kolkata R-Oars, and Ludhiana Team Rowing. A total of 250 girls will aim for victory in the Under-19 and Under-23 categories across five distinct events, as reported by SAI Media on Tuesday.
In collaboration with the Rowing Federation of India, the tournament will award the top six finishers in each event – Single Sculls (W1x), Double Sculls (W2x), Quadruple Sculls (W4x), Coxless Pairs (W2), and Coxless Fours (W4) – with enticing cash prizes.
Ismail Baig, the national chief coach and a recipient of the Dronacharya Award, who has represented the Indian team at five Olympics and seven Asian Games, commended the Union Government’s initiative to promote women's sports, especially rowing.
“Our esteemed Prime Minister Modi ji has implemented numerous measures to support women’s sports, and the Asmita Rowing League is a small component of a larger strategy. This league marks the first of its kind in this sport... We are preparing for the Summer Olympics in 2036 with the goal that our women’s team not only qualifies but also competes for medals. To encourage participation, we have relaxed specific rules for this inaugural event,” Baig shared with SAI Media.
Varsha K.B., who secured fifth place in the coxed eight event at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, trains at the SAI Allepey Centre and believes that the Asmita League will serve as a catalyst to attract more girls to water sports.
“This is the inaugural Asmita Rowing League, although I have been rowing since 2015. There has been no such competition even for boys during all these years. This presents a fantastic opportunity for girls to participate and display their talents,” Varsha stated after a practice session at Hussain Sagar Lake.
Monika Bhadoria, representing the Cuttack team, trains at SAI NCOE Jagatpur. She stressed that a city-based league is an essential platform to elevate girls to the same level as their male counterparts in a predominantly male sport.
“I began my rowing journey in the sub-junior category in 2017 and have won multiple medals at both the junior and senior Nationals. I am excited to compete in the women’s single and doubles sculls events of the Asmita Rowing League. It’s crucial to organize such leagues regularly for the benefit of all girls,” Monika expressed.
