Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

Sailing season set to start

Photo: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

Set sail Colourful Hobie 16 catamarans sail at the Hussain Sagar Lake

The enthusiasm for sailing seems to be growing, if one goes by the registration figures at the inauguration of the free sailing camp by the National Hobie Class Association (NHCA) at the Hussain Sagar recently. About a 100 entries were received from all corners of the Twin Cities.

The response was quite similar when the NHCA held a camp at the R.K. Beach, Visakhapatnam, prior to the conduct of the Coastal National Hobie championship. Efforts to popularize the sport have emanated from the NHCA headquarters at the Artillery Centre, Golconda, and its operative arm being the Artillery Water Sports Association (AWSA).

Whether the action is at the R.K. Beach, or the Hussain Sagar, the fraternity of sailors, rowers, canoeists and kayakers from the AWSA give their all. Often seen officiating or involved in organizational aspects, Antony Joseph, Girish Rao and Babu John are ensuring the smooth conduct of the event with their expertise and experience.

For instance at the inauguration of the camp, the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh's (SAAP) Vice Chairman and Managing Director Shashi Bhushan and his 10-year old son tried their hand with a Hobie 16 boat. Such was the degree of readiness shown by the hosts, providing ample safety cover even for beginners.

The opening event also turned the spotlight on sailors from the AWSA, who had done the country proud in the Sail The Gulf Regatta at Doha, Qatar, held over the last two years. Spurred by the success of these sailors, the Yachting Association of India (YAI) is seriously contemplating sending them for international competitions so that it prepares them better for Asian and world championship events.

Brig. Prakash S Nair, Vice- President, NHCA, Col. Rohit Butalia, Deputy Commandant, Artillery Centre, Hyderabad, Major K.S. Panigrahy, Honorary Secretary, NHCA and co-ordinator for the Sailing Camp were present on the occasion.

The Inland National Hobie 16 championships will be held at the Hussain Sagar from July 14 to 18.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail