Assam rowers shine in spite of poor facility

They do not have sufficient equipments to horn their skills, but with the help of sheer hard work and an undying desire to prove something a bunch of youngsters from Assam have excelled in the recently concluded National Rowing championship held in Kolkata recently. The rowers from the state have earned four medals in the 14th Sub-Junior and 15th Challenger Sprints National Championship where 15 teams from across the country took part.

Himeli Chatterjee and Anangcha Das bagged the silver medal in the Coxless Pair in sub junior girls’ category. Nafisa Sadiq won the bronze in single scull in the sub junior category. The sub junior girls’ cox four team featuring Arindita Deka, Aradhana Das, Himeli Chatterjee, Anangcha das and Nafisa Sadiq won another bronze while Jishnu Jiban Barua and Nixon J Brahma have clinched bronze in sub junior boys double scull.

“We are extremely happy of the performance of the young boys and girls in the national championship. It is only possible because of their sheer hard work and dedication towards the sports,” said Assam Boat Racing and Rowing Association (ABRRA) president A K Absar Hazarika. “Hats off to these youngsters. Going from such a poor back ground, the way they have performed is simply brilliant,” he said ruing the pathetic plight of the sports in the state. He further said that in spite of having several water bodies in the state, the sport is lagging far behind due to lack of infrastructure and proper handling by the sports authority in the state. “It’s a costly game and needed lots of care to run smoothly but in this regard we are far behind than the rest part of the country. In spite of having organized national games in the state the infrastructure are not fully utilized in a proper way,” he regretted.

“In spite of our repeated requests the sports authority pays any heed to it. The boats which were purchased to use during the national games could have easily handed over to us but that too is not happening. As a result these are getting damaged. To develop a sport the state authorities should play a vital role to move it ahead,” he further said.

Even then the players and the organizers are putting their fingers crossed for a better future of the game in the state.

“I always try to give my best and be positive whatever the scenario may be. I give more importance to the players’ fitness level so that they can perform anywhere. The problems are there but we are fighting against all the odds. I also congratulate the youngsters to perform so well outside the state practicing here with limited resources,” said Cheranjeet Phukan, one of the coaches of ABBRA.

“We are happy at our performance. But we need more facilities here to perform even better in future and to give tough contest with outside players,” said Nafisa Sadiq who won two medals.