Bengal Water Sports to host Asia's first corporate rowing league

The event will see about 400 participants from close to 50 corporates slugging it out over two days, December 16-17, for the eight titles up for grabs. Notable companies which have confirmed entry include the likes of IBM, Cognizant, TOI, ICICI and India Power among others.

The CRPL was inaugurated at a Press conference held at the venue by Firhad Hakim, minister for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs. Speaking on the occasion, Hakim said, "This is a very good initiative by Bengal Water Sports as it not only inculcates a sporting culture among the youth specially but also given the present urban lifestyle, provides a convenient and risk-free way to maintain health and fitness. The state government under the dynamic leadership of Mamata Banerjee is committed to improve the urban quality of life in the state and we shall always encourage all such noble endeavors. I wish all participants the very best and the event organisers a lot of success."

Also speaking on the occasion, Shakil Ahmed, Director, Bengal Water Sports said, "Our endeavour is to promote the sport of rowing among all sections of society given it is a fun-filled and injury-free way to maintain and improve one's fitness. The outdoor sport is also an Olympic sport and this city has a great culture of rowing, which if tapped and promoted properly can yield rich dividends. Indoor rowing also is fast gaining in popularity with the sport now featuring at the Asian and World championship levels and our effort will be to get it inducted into the Olympics as well."

The league starts on Saturday, December 16, from 4 pm in the afternoon and Sunday will see all the eight finals take place at the same time.