World stars to contest in canoe c’ship from today

  • | Saturday | 23rd March, 2019

We are keen on organizing a world championship here soon,” ICF vice president Thomas Konietzko had said during his 2017 visit. Around 87 players from 14 countries will contest for the title of the International Kayaking and Canoeing Open Championship. “Both Upper Lake and Lower still water is best for conducting water sports events. Bhopal: Come Saturday, the world’s top water sportspersons are set to descend on city’s Upper Lake. Impressed with the potential, a team of officials of International Canoe Federation (ICF) had visited Indore in 2017.

Bhopal: Come Saturday, the world’s top water sportspersons are set to descend on city’s Upper Lake. Around 87 players from 14 countries will contest for the title of the International Kayaking and Canoeing Open Championship. This is the first time in 16 years that the state capital is hosting an international meet — in 2003, Bhopal had hosted Asian kayaking and canoeing championship at the same venue.Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA) general secretary Prashant Kushwah said Bhopal’s ideal waters have made it possible to conduct such a prestigious championship. “This championship is important for Indian players as they will get opportunity to contest at their home against tough foreign contestants,” said Kushwah.Players from Portugal and south-east Asian countries have arrived in the city to contest. “We want Indian players to capitalise this opportunity as much as possible,” added Kushwah. From MP, 15 players will take part in the championship.Sulekha Sharma, managing director of Dunst Nolan, the innovation partner for the international canoe federation, said that players were surprised to know about Upper Lake.In recent years, Bhopal has catapulted onto the world water sports map.“You go around the canoeing centre any day, one comes across several other youths striving hard to live their dreams. The centre is equipped with modern infrastructure, training facilities and coaches,” said Kushwah.Water sports in Bhopal, being run under the aegis of Madhya Pradesh Kayaking and Canoeing Association (MPKCA), began gaining traction under the guidance of national coach Mayank Thakur.Interestingly, Bhopal is the only state capital that provides practice facility for all kinds of boats“Water sports centre at Lower Lake and Upper Lake are the only centres in the country providing facility of practising on plastic, melo, wazda and other such international varieties of boats. It helps players acclimatize to all kinds of boats,” said Mayank Thakur.Besides, good geographical conditions have earned the Bhopal centre plaudits of being the best in the country. “Both Upper Lake and Lower still water is best for conducting water sports events. Other places in the country like Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Hyderabad or Manipur, where similar water bodies are available, are not blessed with the facilities of slow moving wind, peaceful surroundings and world class facilities,” Prashant Kushwah claimed.Indore to host 2020 world dragon boat championship (BOX)After hosting national and international sports events, Indore will host the World Dragon Boat Championship in 2020. Bilawali lake that was developed as a water sports hub will be the venue, IKCA president SM Hashmi announced in Bhopal on Friday. Impressed with the potential, a team of officials of International Canoe Federation (ICF) had visited Indore in 2017. “We were very impressed with the rapid development of water sports here and in other parts of MP. We are keen on organizing a world championship here soon,” ICF vice president Thomas Konietzko had said during his 2017 visit.

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