East Singhbhum wins Dragon Boat competition

Mail News Service

Hazaribagh, June 19: In a remarkable feat, the East Singhbhum District Dragon Boat Association made history as they clinched multiple medals in the first-ever state-level dragon boat competition held in Jharkhand. Under the joint efforts of the Dragon Boat Association of Jharkhand, District Administration Hazaribagh, and guidance from the Dragon Boat Federation of India, the three-day competition took place from June 13th to 15th, 2023, at Jawahar Ghat reservoir in Barhi, Hazaribagh district.

Following their exceptional performance at the state level, the team further showcased their prowess at the 11th National Level Senior Dragon Boat Competition, which concluded successfully on June 18th, 2023. The event saw teams from across the country competing fiercely in various categories.

The six-member East Singhbhum District Dragon Boat Association team comprised both women and men participants who demonstrated outstanding skills throughout the championships. In the women’s category of the state level competition, the team secured gold medals, impressively triumphing over their opponents. Sampa Nayak, Rupali, and Vinita Kumari, students of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Potka in East Singhbhum district, showcased their mettle and emerged victorious in the 200 meters event, claiming the gold medals.

In the men’s category, participants from Ghatshila College, Ajay Hansda, and Vishal Kumar, represented the district with determination. They garnered the gold medal in the state-level 1000 meters event, showcasing their exceptional skills. In the national competition, the duo added to their accolades by securing the bronze medal.

The East Singhbhum District Dragon Boat Association team owed their success to the skilled guidance of Shyam Kumar Sharma, the coordinator of the association, along with the dedicated efforts of team manager Priyavrat Dutta and team coach Jayshree Mahato. Upon their return from the challenging competitions, the triumphant team was warmly welcomed on Monday, June 19th, 2023, at 1:30 pm at Tatanagar station. They were greeted with garlands and applause by their supporters, including Anand Mahato, Lalan Singh Yadav, Sanjeev Kumar, Deepak Kumar, and Ratnesh Kumar. The recognition and appreciation bestowed upon the team were well-deserved, highlighting their remarkable achievements in the exhilarating sport of dragon boat racing.