In an effort to promote competitive rowing and water-based sports, a comprehensive survey of the Krishna River was conducted on Thursday. The survey, led by President of the Rowing Federation of India Balaji Maradapa and President of the Sculling and Rowing Association of Andhra Pradesh Tarun Kakani, aims to harness the river’s natural potential for developing rowing and water sports infrastructure in the region.
The initiative is supported by development plans that will be funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). The focus is on building world-class facilities to offer a conducive environment for athletes.
On Wednesday, a high-level meeting was held to strengthen the rowing ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh. Dr Tarun Kakani and Balaji Maradapa met with S Bharani, Managing Director of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP), to discuss a strategic roadmap for the sport’s growth in the state. Key proposals discussed included the establishment of major rowing centres at Suryalanka, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam, along with an additional centre at Jangareddygudem.
In upcoming initiatives, Dr Tarun Kakani announced that district-level selections for the SAAP sports meet will commence from April 3, followed by state-level competitions later in the month. Balaji Maradapa, in a show of support, assured full assistance from the Rowing Federation of India, including provision of boats, technical expertise, and coaching assistance. As a gesture of appreciation, he felicitated S. Bharani for the state’s proactive approach towards sports infrastructure development.
