Kolkata: Nearly 400 students representing 44 schools from the city and around will vie for the top honours in the 50th All India School Regatta Championship being organised by Lake Club at its meet course in Rabindra Sarobar here from May 11 to 17.

Convenor Sonath Dey, at a press meet Thursday at the club complex, announced that the flagship regatta is now recognised nationally as the leading event to promote the sport among students, following the motto “Catch Them Young”.

Veteran rower Subhasish Dasgupta, who was one of the participants when it began in 1973, termed this meet as the nursery for budding oarspeople.

Dasgupta informed them that the students participating in this championship have been trained by the best coaches in the state free of any charge for the last few months.

This practice is now paying off, as is evident from the fact that Sweta Bramhachari and Prateek Gupta, who emerged from this championship, are now winning laurels for the state and the country.

From left: Sweta Bramhachari, team coach-cum-manager Sudip Naha, and Prateek Gupta — the trio set to represent India at the Asian Rowing Championship in Thailand next month.

They have been selected to represent the country at the forthcoming Asian Rowing meet in Thailand.

Giving details of the meet, Captain of Boats of Lake Club Sudip Naha said the event would consist of three primary disciplines—coxed fours, double scull, and indoor rowing for junior boys and girls (up to class X ) and senior boys and girls (classes XI and XII ). 

The regular schools that would be seen in action at this popular event include South Point, La Martierer, St Lawrence High School, Tirthapati Institution, Kalidahn Institution, and others.

Abhijit Basu, joint convenor of the event, said, "The club has undertaken all necessary safety measures, and all the participants will have to qualify on the required tests."

"Rescue boats and ambulances are being kept ready for any emergency throughout the championship," he added.

City Mayor Firhad Hakim will inaugurate the championship on May 11, while former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly will be the chief guest on the final day, scheduled for May 17.