Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 06 December 2024
In a remarkable feat, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Sri Vijaya Puram women’s rowing team clinched silver medal in the 2000-meter event at the 44th Junior and 7th Inter State Challenger National Rowing Championship held in Pune, Maharashtra.
The winners, Ms. Sneha Toppo and Ms. P. Alagammal, are both residential trainees at SAI Sri Vijaya Puram. They have been trained under the expert guidance of international medalist coaches, including Arjuna Awardee Mr. Jenil Krishnan, Mr. Justin J. Thomas, and Mr. Manish Kr. Tiwari.
The competition saw stiff competition from several states, but the A&N Islands team triumphed over larger states like Maharashtra, Haryana, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala. The victory also earned them a qualification for the prestigious National Games, set to be held in Uttarakhand in January 2025.
Both rowers come from humble backgrounds—Ms. Toppo hails from Bimblitan, and Ms. Alagammal is from Mannarghat. Despite their families facing financial challenges, they found a path to success through the SAI residential training program. Their dedication and perseverance have turned obstacles into stepping stones.
The SAI team expressed their pride in the rowers’ achievements and hopes to continue the success, aiming for medals in the upcoming National Games in 2025.