Lt. General K S Rao expressed contentment quoting, "We are proud to gather the nation's largest contingent ever from Telangana for International Regatta, assisted by the Yacht Club of Hyderabad in collaboration with the Naandi Foundation."
Rao said that with 26 sailors, Telangana is a force to reckon with as it constituted about 50% of the Indian fleet and a third of the International fleet (12 nations) in the India International Regatta at Chennai, from December 15 to 20. The young sailors braved the pre-cyclone "Vardah" currents and sailed the seas without any fear.
He proudly said that National champion Rishab Nayar of Telangana would lead the assault in the Lasers flown back from Chicago for the event. Despite being 14 years old, he touched 65 kg, and was likely to move into the senior fleet to sail the bigger Radial Rig, relinquishing the hattrick. Rishab's siblings Juhi and Tanishq, both Telangana State Champions, would also sail on the high seas at Chennai.
The contingent also comprises of sailors from various government schools, travelling out of State for the first time under the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institution Society (TSWERIES) headed by IPS Praveen Kumar, who focused on sports and working with the deeply disenfranchised kids of the State.
A contingent of eight girls, mostly from local government schools, would also attend, Rao added.