Jammu and Kashmir showcased exceptional talent at the 10th All India Inter-Sports Authority of India (SAI) Kayaking and Canoeing Championships, finishing fourth overall in the senior category. The championship concluded on Sunday at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), Alleppey.
The four-day event saw participation from eight SAI centres nationwide, highlighting India’s top water sports athletes. NCOE Alleppey triumphed as overall champions, while NCOE Bhopal and NCOE Jagatpur secured second and third places.
Jammu and Kashmir’s athletes delivered an impressive performance, clinching a total of eight medals — two gold, two silver, and four bronze medals. This marked one of their strongest showings at the national level.
The standout moment for J&K came from athletes Mohammad Hussain and Sajad Hussain, who achieved double gold in the fiercely contested senior men’s canoe doubles 200m and 500m events. Their success also follows their earlier achievements at the Khelo India Water Sports Festival in August at Dal Lake, Srinagar.
In the Alleppey competition, 197 athletes participated, including 92 female competitors, across 96 medal events. Noteworthy SAI centres from Bhopal, Jagatpur, Port Blair, Bilaspur, Roorkee, and EME were also in attendance.
Officials noted the significant impact of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival on promoting water sports in India. The event drew praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who acknowledged its athletes in his August “Mann Ki Baat” address.
NCOE Alleppey dominated the medal tally, securing 24 gold and 15 silver medals across senior and junior categories. NCOE Bhopal came in a close second, taking home 11 golds in the senior category and topping the sub-junior section with seven golds. Jagatpur also emerged as one of the top three centres.
The performance of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Kerala at the Khelo India Water Sports Festival further underscores the growing strength and promise of water sports talent throughout India.
