36th Edition of Hyderabad Sailing Week begins

Hyderabad, July 4, 2022: The 36th edition of the Hyderabad Sailing Week – 2022 began in the city today. Starting from 4th July it will go on till 9th July at Secunderabad Sailing Club. Hosted by Secunderabad Sailing Club, this 6 day event will witness over 75  plus sailors from across India.
 
Sandeep Kumar Sultania, In-charge Secretary of Youth, Tourism and Culture Dept was the chief guest.
 
Speaking on the occasion, Sandeep Sultania said the event is commendable organised by the Secunderabad Club.
 
Over the years, the sport of Sailing has received the due impetus it deserves in the country as well as in Hyderabad. The twin cities of Hyderabad & Secunderabad have been a host to this event for the past 35 years. I am elated to note that sailors from all over the country have come here to compete in this National Championship 4.
 
The Government of Telangana has been giving many incentives for the sport of sailing. This vast expanse of Hussain Sagar Lake in the twin cities has proved to be a cradle for Champion sailors who have achieved National accolades. I am sure that the joint efforts being put in by the Laser Class Association of India (LCAI) and Sports Authority of Telangana State along with the host clubs will produce many more Champions.
 
It is a matter of great satisfaction to know that sustained efforts by various Sailing Associations have etched India's name on the International Sailing Map. I am aware that tremendous amount of hard work and meticulous planning goes into organizing an event of such magnitude. I compliment Commodore Secunderabad Sailing Club Arjun Pradipak for his efforts in broad-basing the sport of sailing, particularly in Hyderabad.
 
Welcome address was given by President LCAI, Lt Gen TSA Narayana, AVSM. He said over the years, the sport of Sailing has received a tremendous boost in the country in general and Hyderabad in particular and the credit of that mainly goes to hosting of this National event at Hussain Sagar for the past 35 years.
 
Sailors from all over the country come here to test their sailing skills by competing against the best, besides mastering the winds and waves in their quest for glory. This event has this year again, put Hyderabad on the National arena in the acclaims of sailing, he added.
 
The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad provide a very conducive environment for the sport of sailing. The likes of Arjuna Awardee Honorary Captain Rajesh Choudhary, VSM (Retired), who learnt and thereafter, honed his sailing skills at this very Hussain Sagar Lake, are a testimony to the stellar role played by this lake in promoting the talent in sailing, he said.
 
Speaking further he said, I am sanguine that through the relentless efforts being put in by the Laser Class Association of India and The Sports Authority of Telangana State, to promote sailing, more champions will emerge from this region in this competitive sport.
 
Addressing Rahul Rao, VP of Secunderabad Club said Secunderabad Sailing Club is one of the few clubs in India to have Sailing facilities in the heart of the city making viewing of sailing exciting. Our club has the great tradition of hosting regattas right from inception. The Nizam used to have his pavilion on the famed Tank Bund Road to watch the sailing races being conducted. I am happy to share that we are nearing our sesquicentennial celebrations here at the sailing annexe.
 
Honorary Secretary, Secunderabad Sailing club, Vikrant Boorugu said, this sailing event has been accredited as a Yachting Association of India (YAI) Ranking event. This means that the ranking of a sailor at the Hyderabad Sailing Week will be considered towards overall National Ranking and subsequent selections for various national and international championships including Selection for Asian games.
 
Some of the notable clubs participating are Army yaching Node Mumbai, INWTC Navy Mumbai, Trishna sailing club Army Mysore, National Sailing School Bhopal, Yacht club of Hyderabad, Navy Boys School Goa and others. They will participate in different categories of races such as Olympic and Asian Games classes Laser standard (ILCA 7) Open Men, Laser Radial (ILCA 6) Women & Open, Laser  4.7 (ILCA 4) Youth Boys & Girls.
 
This year it is witnessing the highest participation in the Youth Boys and Youth Girls class the ILCA 4. The young sailors are all below 17 and mostly still in school.
 
The Secunderabad Club is probably one of the few Clubs in the world which has its own Sailing Annexe overlooking the vast and picturesque Hussain Sagar Lake. The Sailing Annexe is especially devoted to the activity of sailing and Water Sports. It is one of the oldest sailing clubs in the country with a history nearing 150 years.
 
Secunderabad club has in the past hosted large International and Asia pacific events.
 
It has produced many outstanding sailors both at the National and International level.
 
Some of the most notable sailors of Secunderabad club is Late C.S.Pradipak Arjuna Awardee and  YAI Lifetime Award winner. Secunderabad Club has been running coaching camps under the guidance of Commodore Arjun Pradipak YAI Dinghy Instuctor to popularise sailing among youth sailors. He was instrumental in reviving sailing at the club in the last decade.
 
Vatsal Banker has recently represented our country in the Asian Regatta in Abu Dhabi. He is currently training in Europe and representing India in the World Championships in Portugal. Secunderabad club sailors Alekhya Coondoo and Shloka Mahesh are medal prospects in this event.