Srinagar, August 23: On the sidelines of the landmark Khelo India Water Sports Festival at Dal Lake, the Rowing Federation of India (RFI) convened its Executive Council Meeting in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. The meeting, chaired by RFI President Mr. Balaji Maradapa, opened with warm remarks in which he congratulated the Central sports authorities and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for successfully organising the maiden edition of this festival in Srinagar. Present at the meeting were RFI Secretary General Mr. Subhashis Mukherjee, Treasurer Mr. Chiranjit Ji, along with other esteemed members of the Executive Council.
Dr. Burhan Bazaz, President of the Jammu & Kashmir Association of Rowing and Sculling (JKARS), was invited as the Special Guest. Expressing his pride in Jammu & Kashmir hosting such a historic event, Dr. Bazaz congratulated the newly elected President “Balaji Maradapa” and Executive Council of RFI. He further announced that JKARS had formally placed a bid as a specicial case before the RFI Executive Council to host the Junior National Rowing Championship in Jammu & Kashmir in the near future. The bid was positively received, and RFI authorised JKARS to begin preparations for this prestigious event although bid also needs to be placed officially in forthcoming Annual General Body Meeting of RFI.
Dr. Bazaz also applauded the tireless efforts of Bilquis Mir, the renowned face of Indian water sports, and S. Thomas, an acclaimed water sports professional, who served as Competition Directors for Kayaking & Canoeing and Rowing, respectively, during the Khelo India Festival. He emphasised that their professional expertise not only elevated the festival’s standards but also raised optimism for India’s prospects at the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. Urging all stakeholders to work collectively, he stressed the importance of looking beyond traditional boundaries to strengthen India’s global standing in rowing and water sports. Recalling the successful hosting of the first National Rowing Championships in Kashmir in 2022, he expressed confidence that the forthcoming Junior National Rowing Championship would be even bigger, attracting hundreds of athletes from across the country.
On this occasion, members of the RFI Council commended the successful conduct of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival in Srinagar, noting that it provides a model for other states and Union Territories. They highlighted the need to prioritise water sports not only as a competitive discipline but also as a driver of tourism, youth engagement, and national pride.
Speaking about the future of water sports in India, RFI President Mr. Balaji Maradapa said:
“India has the talent, the waters and the willpower to excel in water sports. What we need now is a strong, systematic approach, world-class infrastructure, high-quality coaching and regular exposure for our athletes. If we stay united and focused, I am confident that India will emerge as a formidable force in global water sports and make its mark at the Olympics.”
The Srinagar meeting was hailed as a historic milestone, blending the energy of Khelo India’s water sports movement with RFI’s long-term vision of rowing excellence. Members unanimously hailed the event as the beginning of a new era for water sports in India, a catalyst for a sporting renaissance capable of igniting national pride, inspiring youth, and positioning India firmly on the global stage.
