A water sports coaching camp with emphasis on canoeing and kayaking on the world famous Dal Lake is going on in full swing.
The camp has been organised for training people for National Canoeing and Kayaking Championship to be held on November 17.
The players, striving for bagging gold medal at the upcoming championship, are being trained by experienced coaches in the above mentioned sports.
Water sports have gained immense popularity in the Kashmir Valley in recent times, due to which active participation by boys and girls can be witnessed in the camp. Despite the cold weather, the players are putting in their best efforts to undergo training for the sports.
Recently, water sports competition held in Rajasthan's Udaipur saw many of the budding players from Kashmir securing gold, silver and bronze medals in different categories.
In order to give a better performance this time, the players are undergoing a strict and rigorous training. One of the players expressed the importance training camp has in order mark victory in the upcoming championship.
She said, "This camp is very important for us, in order to win. We hope that we emerge victorious in the competition." The players also feel that such camps help them to be physically fit.
"Sports keep us fit, both mentally and physically. Our coach makes us do running and gyming. All of us are preparing really hard for the competition and wish to succeed," said another player.
Bilques Mir, National coach of Canoeing and Kayaking, furnished information on training camp expressed her happiness over the growing participation of girls in sports.
"So far, we have taken selections. Almost 200 players came for it, out of which 35 will be sent for the nationals. As a coach, I am always looking for new talents," she said.
"Recently, International Olympic Committee took the decision of eliminating that sport from Olympics which is going to have less than 50% women participation. I am glad to tell you that in this camp, there is a ratio of 50:50 of girls and boys," she added.
The players were also of the opinion that Dal Lake is the best water body for getting training in water sports.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
