Significant Initiative to Promote Kayaking and Canoeing Sports in Mewar

Udaipur:In a major step towards the sustainable development of kayaking and canoeing sports in Mewar, Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar extended valuable support to talented local athletes by gifting 16 new Sprint Kayaking Boats, keeping in view their achievements and training requirements.

The formal inauguration of these Sprint Kayaking Boats was held at the City Palace complex on the banks of Lake Pichola, jointly performed by Divisional Commissioner Ms Pragya Kevalramani and Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar. On this occasion, the Chairman of the Rajasthan Kayaking & Canoeing Association stated that these boats will prove extremely beneficial for players’ regular practice as well as preparation for national and international competitions.

He further added that the continuous support of Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Chairman and Managing Trustee of Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation, along with the encouragement of the Divisional Commissioner, will play a crucial role in taking this sport to new national and international heights. This contribution, he said, will infuse fresh energy and enthusiasm into the sports culture of Mewar.

Dr Mayank Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of the Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation, shared that the Foundation was established in 1969 by Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar with the objective of social service, human upliftment, and preservation of Mewar’s centuries-old traditions, heritage, and social responsibilities. He emphasized that these same values and commitments are being continuously upheld today under the leadership of Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar.

The Rajasthan Kayaking & Canoeing Association, along with players and their parents, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar for his sensitive understanding of athletes’ needs, timely intervention, and concrete support that has significantly boosted players’ morale and motivation.

It is noteworthy that Udaipur has been consistently making remarkable efforts towards the development of dragon boat, kayaking, and canoeing sports. The city has successfully hosted the National Dragon Boat Championship four times, conducted selection and training camps for the Indian Dragon Boat Team, and organised All India University-level Dragon Boat and Kayaking competitions. In these events, the team from Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, securing first place, has been a matter of great pride for the city.

Prominent dignitaries present at the programme included Mr Chandragupt Singh Chauhan (Chairman, Rajasthan Kayaking & Canoeing Association), Mr Bhagwan Swaroop Vaishnav (President), Mr Dilip Singh Chauhan (Secretary), along with Mahesh Pimpalkar, Deepak Gupta, Kamlesh Hathi, Ajay Agrawal, coaches Nishchay Singh Chauhan, Piyush Kachhawa, Tanishk Patwa, and several association officials, trainers, and players.