KOLKATA: Around 150 students from 30 schools from across the country will take part in the All India invitation inter-school regatta meet at the Lake Club from June 2 to 9. Teams from Madhya Pradesh and Chennai are also expected to participate.
The tournament will see competition in indoor rowing, coxed fours and double scull events in both junior boys and girls and senior boys and girls categories. The junior events will have participants up to class X while the senior events will feature students from classes XI and XII.
The tournament returns after a gap of five years after the oldest inter-school regatta tournament was discontinued since the Covid outbreak.
Keeping in mind the tragic death of two students -- Pushan and Souradeep of South Point High School, who got drowned in the Rabindra Sarobar Lake on May 21, 2022 when a nor’wester that clocked 90kmph struck Kolkata, special safety measures have been put in place this time.
The participants had to go through swimming tests and qualify as per the standard operating procedure. A safety officer has been deputed both during practice sessions and championship time to oversee procedures. Proper weather checks will also be put in place so that the rowers are not caught unaware of any approaching calamities.
Started in 1973, the tournament is considered a key event to spot talent in the sport. The country has produced a number of national and international-level rowers who took up the sport from school level only. The organisers have been impressed with the overwhelming number of participation which shows the interest of the game spreading among youngsters.
