Gaurav Kanthwal Chandigarh, June 6 With Sukhna Lake’s water-level remaining low in summers, the nine-member Chandigarh team for the National Sub-Junior Rowing Championship in Kolkata will be participating in the competition without much hope. Devoid of any practise for the last one month, the city team’s chances of winning a medal appear bleak in the sub-junior category. They, however, have a hope of finishing on the podium in the Four category of the Second Inter-State Challengers Sprint National Rowing Championship. Chandigarh has fielded five boys in the sub-junior category (single sculls, double sculls and pair event) and four in the challenger competition. There is no representation of girls from the city in the competition. Chandigarh Rowing Association secretary PK Singla said: “We are hopeful of winning a medal in the Four category of challengers as the boys are bit older and have Some experience. The sub-junior boys are freshers and are not expected to win a medal in the nationals without having the opportunity to practise. We have tried to make up for the lack of practice by focussing on dry practise, but it has its own limitations.” As many as 463 rowers from 17 states will vie for top honours in the four-day competition at the Rabindra Sarobar Lake, beginning tomorrow. There are two different categories for boys and girls in the U-13 and U-15 age group. The challenger competition is for open age category rowers, who have not won any medal at the open national or at the challenger nationals. The winners in the sub-junior category will take part in the junior nationals later on with an eye on the Asian Juniors and World Juniors.

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