Over 100 sailors for Laser races
About 120 sailors will vie for top honours as the 35th edition of the Hyderabad Sailing Week begins at the Hussain Sagar lake here from Friday.
The event will witness races in three categories — Laser Standard, Laser Radial and Laser 4.7, EME Saling Association Vice Commodore Major General J. S. Sidana told reporters on Thursday.
“The event has been accredited as a Yachting Association of India (YAI) Ranking event, which implies that the ranking of a sailor at the Hyderabad Sailing Week will be counted and considered towards overall National Ranking and subsequent selection for Asian Games,” Maj. Gen. Sidana said.
“The eco-friendly sport is getting popular by the day and about 120-plus sailors from across the country including budding ones from Telangana — Sanjay, Ajay, Ashwini, Kirti — are expected to participate in this year’s event,” Maj. Gen. Sidana said.
Alekhya Condooo and Vatsal Banker are the other local sailors to watch out for, in the Laser 4.7 category.
“We could not get international participation this time due to Covid. I am sure we will get them next year, which will provide great exposure to our sailors,” Maj. Gen. Sidana explained.
“The EME Sailing Association has played a major role in popularising sailing in the country and especially the state,” he said, adding “the club has one of the best infrastructure and sailing facilities in the country. We are making consistent efforts to enhance and improve the existing infrastructure to enable sailors attain international standards.
“The EMESA was formed in 1964 and has produced a number of outstanding sailors and officials both at the national and international levels including the likes of Major Abdul Basith, who represented India at the 1972 Munich Olympics; Major Deepak Dikhit, who made a name for himself not only in sailing but also windsurfing; Captain Rajesh Chaudhary, who is an Arjuna Awardee and winner of various national and international sailing regattas including at the Asian Games at Busan (2002) and Doha (2006),” Maj. Gen. Sidana informed.