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Key Points

The 10th Inter-SAI kayaking and canoeing championship saw Alleppey's National Centre of Excellence emerge as the overall champion. With 197 athletes participating from eight centers, the event highlighted India's growing interest in water sports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent promotion of water sports through Mann Ki Baat has energized athletes nationwide. The competition showcased promising talents from across the country, with multiple centers demonstrating exceptional performance.

Key Points: Alleppey Dominates SAI Kayaking Championship with Record Wins

  • NCOE Alleppey wins 39 total gold medals across categories
  • 197 athletes compete in 96 medal events
  • Jammu & Kashmir secures eight medals
  • Khelo India Water Sports Festival boosts national interest
2 min read

Alleppey emerge as the overall champion in Inter-SAI kayaking and canoeing

National Centre of Excellence Alleppey triumphs in 10th Inter-SAI kayaking event with impressive performance across senior and junior categories

"Water sports are gaining momentum in India - Sports Analyst"

Alleppey (Kerala), Oct 10

Hosts National Centre of Excellence (NCEO) Alleppey emerged overall champions in the four-day 10th all-India Inter-Sports Authority of India (SAI) kayaking and canoeing championship.

After rowing, kayaking, and canoeing are gaining in popularity, and this all-India SAI event saw upcoming water sports enthusiasts hoping to represent India at major Asian and global competitions. Athletes from eight centres participated in the all-India meet.

The first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival, held at Srinagar's Dal Lake from August 21-23, has given water sports a fresh impetus. Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted some of the prominent KIWSF winners in the August episode of his popular radio show, Mann Ki Baat, athletes are showing more intensity.

Aimed at promoting water sports in the country, 197 athletes, including 92 girls, competed in 96 medal events in Alleppey. NCOE Alleppey, NCOE Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), and NCOE Jagatpur (Odisha) were the top-performing SAI centres.

Apart from these three, water sports athletes from Jammu & Kashmir, Port Blair, Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh), Army Boys Sports Company Roorkee, and ABSC EME participated. The competition saw some international and national-level athletes like Vaishnavi R, Akshaya B, and Yogita Verma taking part in various events.

Jammu and Kashmir finished fourth in the seniors' category. Overall, the Union Territory won eight medals - two gold, two silver, and four bronze. Both their gold medals came in the senior men's section when Mohammad Hussain and Sajad Hussain won gold medals in canoe doubles 200 and 500 metres. Both boys had finished with multiple medals at the Khelo India Water Sports Festival in Srinagar.

NCOE Alleppey proved to be the best SAI unit, winning 24 and 15 gold medals in the senior and junior sections. NCOE Bhopal, which finished second in the senior category with 11 golds, emerged on top in the sub-junior section with seven gold medals.

Jagatpur remained in the top three in all three categories - senior, junior, and sub-junior. For the record, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Kerala emerged as the top three states in the Khelo India Water Sports Festival, which was an open age-group competition.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Wonderful to see Jammu & Kashmir performing so well! 8 medals is impressive. Shows how sports can bring out the best talent from every corner of India. Mohammad and Sajad Hussain making us proud! 🇮🇳
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Arjun K
Mann Ki Baat is really making a difference in promoting sports awareness. PM Modi highlighting the winners has given these athletes the recognition they deserve. More such initiatives needed!
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Sarah B
Great to see 92 girls participating! Women in sports need more encouragement and coverage. Hope to see more female athletes representing India internationally soon. 💪
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Vikram M
While the results are impressive, I wish there was more media coverage for these events. Water sports deserve the same attention as cricket in our country. These athletes work just as hard!
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Michael C
Excellent performance by all centers! The competition seems really tough with 96 medal events. India's future in water sports looks bright with such talented athletes coming up.
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Ananya R
Heartwarming to see athletes from Port Blair and smaller centers participating. Sports truly unites our diverse nation. Hope more infrastructure comes up in these regions. 🌊

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