Asmita Rowing League For Women Poised For A Historic Launch

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In a major boost to the Olympic sport of rowing, the historic Hussain Sagar Lake is set to host India's inaugural city-based rowing league-ASMITA Rowing League-starting February 26. The league, backed by the Government of India's Khelo India initiative, aims to encourage women's participation in the sport.

Eight teams-Bhopal Waves Queen, Chennai Ranis, Cochin Queens, Cuttack Rowing, Deccan Queen Pune, Hyderabad Queen, Kolkata R-Oars, and Ludhiana Team Rowing-will compete for top honors in the Under-19 and Under-23 categories across five events.

A total of 250 young female rowers will showcase their skills in Single Sculls (W1x), Double Sculls (W2x), Quadruple Sculls (W4x), Coxless Pairs (W2), and Coxless Fours (W4). The top six finishers in each event will receive substantial cash prizes.

Organized in collaboration with the Rowing Federation of India, the event has drawn praise from National Chief Coach and Dronacharya Award recipient Ismail Baig, who has coached India at five Olympic Games and seven Asian Games. He commended the government's initiative to promote women's sports, particularly rowing.

"Our Honourable Prime Minister Modi ji has taken several steps to encourage women's sports, and the ASMITA Rowing League is part of that larger vision. This is the first time we are hosting a city-based league for this sport. With the 2036 Summer Olympics on the horizon, our goal is to ensure that the Indian women's rowing team not only qualifies but also competes for a medal. Since this is a first-time initiative, we have relaxed certain rules to encourage greater participation," Ismail Baig told SAI Media.

Varsha KB, who placed fifth in the coxed eight event at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games and trains at the SAI Alleppey center, believes the league will play a crucial role in attracting more young girls to water sports.

"The ASMITA Rowing League is happening for the first time, even though I have been rowing since 2015. Forget women or girls-no such competition has been held even for boys all these years. This league offers a fantastic opportunity for girls to compete and demonstrate their talent. With an Under-19 category, it also gives younger rowers a chance to participate. Since we have limited competitions throughout the year, this league helps bridge that gap," said Varsha KB, who recently won gold in the coxless fours event for Kerala at the 38th National Games.

Monika Bhadoria, representing the Cuttack team and training at SAI NCOE Jagatpur, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in bridging the gender gap in rowing, a sport traditionally dominated by men.

"I started rowing at the sub-junior level in 2017 and have since won multiple medals in junior and senior national competitions, including the recent National Games in Uttarakhand. This week, I will be competing in the women's single and double sculls at the ASMITA Rowing League. Rowing has largely been dominated by male athletes, particularly those from the Indian Army, making it challenging for girls to match their level. A league like this provides a great platform for female rowers to showcase their abilities and gain valuable competitive experience. Regularly organizing such leagues will help in bridging the gender disparity in the sport," Monika Bhadoria told SAI Media.

With its historic launch, the ASMITA Rowing League marks a significant step forward in promoting women's rowing in India, setting the stage for greater representation at the international level in the years to come.