Sri Vijaya Puram | March 1, 2026
In a proud moment for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Ms. Amrita Minj secured the Gold Medal in the CW 1X event at the 1st Beach Sprint National Rowing Championship held in Goa from February 24 to 28.
The championship, organised by the Rowing and Sculling Association De Goa on behalf of the Rowing Federation of India, witnessed participation from top rowing athletes across the country. Displaying exceptional determination, skill and resilience, Ms. Minj emerged victorious in her category, bringing national recognition to the Islands.
Significantly, this was the first-ever Beach Sprint National Rowing Championship conducted in India, marking a historic milestone for the fast-growing and dynamic format of rowing in the country.
Her achievement assumes greater significance considering the limited rowing infrastructure and advanced training facilities available in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Competing against athletes with access to superior resources and professional coaching environments, Ms. Minj’s triumph reflects her unwavering commitment, hard work and sporting excellence.
Mr. G. Bhasker, President of the Andaman & Nicobar Rowing Association, congratulated Ms. Minj on her remarkable accomplishment. He also appreciated the other rowers from the Islands who participated in various events and represented the Union Territory with enthusiasm and commendable sportsmanship.
He stated that the victory highlights the immense and untapped sporting potential of the Islands and emphasised the need to strengthen rowing infrastructure and establish systematic training facilities locally to enable athletes to compete more effectively at national and international platforms.
Mr. Bhasker further urged the Rowing Federation of India to consider hosting the next edition of the Beach Sprint National Rowing Championship in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, noting that the region’s scenic and expansive beaches are ideally suited for beach sprint rowing events. He added that organising a national-level championship in the Islands would not only promote water sports but also boost sports tourism and provide greater exposure to local athletes.
