Gorakhpur set to get SAI Centre of Excellence for rowing

Gorakhpur: Gorakhpur is all set to establish a Centre of Excellence of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for rowing near Ramgarh Tal on the directives of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The proposed facility,to come up at the world-class Water Sports Complex, aims at providing international-standard training to rowing athletes.

The move gained momentum after Ramgarh Tal emerged as a preferred venue for national rowing events over the past three years. Major competitions-Khelo India University Games, sub-junior nationals, Asmita National Women’s Rowing League and the 46th Junior National Rowing Championship-have been hosted successfully here. The CM also attended two of these events, strengthening the push to develop Gorakhpur as a water sports hub.

The Rowing Federation of India officials have termed Gorakhpur as the ‘first choice’ for a National Centre of Excellence in rowing. Federation president M Balaji Maradappa said the transformation of Ramgarh Tal and the creation of the Water Sports Complex had significantly boosted prospects for the sport in the state.

Following discussions with CM Yogi during the recent Junior National Rowing Championship, senior officials from the sports department and the Gorakhpur Development Authority inspected the complex to assess the infrastructure requirements.

GDA vice-chairman Abhinav Gopal said all the facilities, including a gymnasium, dormitories, a cafeteria and medical rooms, would be developed here as per the SAI norms.