Prabhjot rues lack of support for water sports

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 12  

Having helped India win a silver and a bronze medal at the 5th Asian Dragon Boat Championship in China’s Yunan province, Zirakpur rower Prabhjot Kaur on Thursday said they had the potential to win a gold medal at the upcoming Asian Games in Indonesia but rued the lack of support from the government.  

“Water sport in India needs support. Had the government supported us we could have won the gold medal for the country at the upcoming Asian Games in Jakarta. We are only looking at the medal,” said Prabhjot. 

“If we look at our equipment and the boats, then we are far behind countries like China, Singapore and Malaysia. We have been able to win medals despite lack of support. I hope in future water sports will also receive the necessary support from the government,” the Zirakpur girl added.

While Indian women’s team won a silver medal in the 500m race, they returned with a bronze medal in the 200m competition. India also won a bronze medal in the 500m mixed team event.      

 “The entire team did well in China an won two medals for the country. We could have even won the gold medal but our boat was not that good. We lost to Singapore by a whisker in the final and had to be content with the silver medal,” Prabhjot said on her return.  

Pertinently, there were four oarsmen from Sonipat — Manjeet Singh, Bijender Singh, Sachin Kumar and Ravinder — in the mixed team event.

Prashant Kushwaha, secretary general, Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association, meanwhile, hailed the athletes for their performance in the Asian Championship and said water sport was doing well and if the government initiates steps to improve the infrastructure for the sport they could even win a gold medal.  

Interestingly, the Indian Olympic Association has excluded the dragon boat from the list of disciplines that India would be competing in during the Asian Games.