Lake rowing’s 100th year: Six nations vie in International Friendship Regatta in Kolkata
Times of India | 25 November 2024
123 Kolkata: Around 100 international rowers from seven countries are going to participate in an International Friendship Regatta at Rabindra Sarobar to commemorate 100 years of rowing in the Lake.
The illustrious journey of the game of rowing in India started in Kolkata when a group of English oarsmen founded the Calcutta Rowing Club in 1858. It was C G Norman who is claimed to be the founder of the club on the banks of the river Hooghly in Kolkata.IPL 2025 mega auctionIPL Auction 2025: Who got whomIPL 2025 Auction: Updated Full Team SquadsThe club relocated to its current site at Rabindra Sarobar in 1924 after the Calcutta Improvement Trust (CIT) acquired about 192 acres of marshy land and developed the area.
"This year marks a significant milestone for the club as it celebrates a century at this picturesque location. Hooghly's strong undercurrent and increase in number of ferries posed danger to the rowers, and the club was shifted to multiple places, including Kidderpore dock basin and Majerhat canal, till it was finally allotted a spot at a site here in Rabindra Sarobar," said Chandan Roy Chowdhury, honorary secretary of the club.
Officials said over 100 participants from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, USA, South Africa, and prominent rowers from India are set to participate in the event this year at the Lake waters between Wednesday and Saturday. State sports minister Aroop Biswas will inaugurate the event on Tuesday.
"This year's regatta will feature three competitive events: singles, doubles, and quads. Our team has three members who represented India in the 1982 Asian Games: Capt Girish Phadnis, S R Kalidas, and Ranjan Banerjee. We received confirmation from five more 1982 Asian Games participants," said Roy Chowdhury.
According to the organisers, Olympians like UK rower Jack Beaumont, and Bajrang Lal Takhar, will participate in the event.
There will be multiple interactive sessions, as well as coaching sessions for young rowers.