Cuttack: Orissa Governor SC Jamir inaugurated the 38th National Junior Rowing Championships at the SAI Water Sports Complex at Jagatpur here Wednesday.
Over 600 participants from different states of the country are participating in the four-day meet, with competitions starting Thursday. Participants will fight for prizes in four categories – single scull, double sculls, coxless pairs and coxless fours. All the categories will cover a distance of 1000 metres. A 15-member Orissa team including six boys and nine girls are participating in the meet.
Speaking on the occasion Jamir encouraged the rowers to develop a positive attitude while competing. “Rowing can be compared with human life. One should not feel disheartened after losing. One should accept it, have patience and build a positive attitude and the strength to rise again. These small changes can lead a player to sure success,” he said.
Jamir also emhasised on the importance of team effort. “In sports there is no place for individual ego. Players should inculcate team spirit among themselves to get positive results,” he added.
The Orissa governor expressed satisfaction over the increasing number of national and international level events being hosted in the state. “Orissa has been organising many mega events in the recent past. It is reflecting the state’s rich contribution in the field of sports,” he signed off.
Union minister of petroleum and natural gas, Dharmendra Pradhan was also present as the guest of honour during the inaugural function.