Tura, Mar 23: The high enthusiasm for adventure sports in Meghalaya was reflected well in a kayaking awareness camp held at Chibragre, Tura on Saturday.
With an aim to introducing kayaking among school students, Tura Adventure Club organised the camp with a target of attracting adventurous youngsters aged 12 to 16.
It was also an effort to groom potential participants for the National Games to be hosted by the state in 2027.
Armed with kayaks and safety gear, the programme included both theoretical and practical demonstrations of kayaking with the goal of making students understand the basic strokes of kayaking and what it entails.
The flat waters in Chibragre provided an ideal testing ground for the budding kayakers to experience kayaking for the first time and develop a deep appreciation for the sport.
Over 90 students enthusiastically took part in the camp held in collaboration with Meghalaya Canoeing Association, Indian Kayaking & Canoeing Association and Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs, while “The Meghalayan Express” and “Hub News” were the media partners for the event.
The student participants were from Sherwood School, The Learning Sanctuary School, Don Bosco Secondary School, St. John’s Higher Secondary School, Tura Public School, Aeroville Higher Secondary School, Tura Montessori School, Nokrek Heights and EmBee Rose Bud Secondary School.
Husband-wife duo state kayaking team’s head coach Ian Vincent and Meghalaya Kayaking Association secretary Sheela Vincent conducted the kayaking session.
Ian and Sheela run a kayaking and canoeing centre in Kyrdemkulai, also known as “Whitewater Village” that has produced several award winning athletes.
“As far as scope of kayaking goes in Garo Hills, we have children who literally grew up on the riverside of Ganol and Simsang. They are not scared of water. We need to expose these kids to this sport,” said Binny K Sangma, joint secretary of Tura Adventure Club.
Meanwhile, a flat water sprint race was also held among the participants, to identify promising prospects and possibly take them to Kyrdemkulai for advanced training. The Club also has a plan to establish a dedicated kayaking institute in Garo Hills.
The sporting initiative comes at the behest of chief minister Conrad Sangma, who was inspired by the success of the state’s impressive four-medal haul in the recent National Games.
As all athletes competing in kayaking currently hail from Ri-Bhoi district, the camp aims to train a new generation of kayakers from the Garo Hills.
