Rowing has been a longstanding water sport in India, but recent developments have positioned the country as a serious contender on the international stage. The success of Indian rowers at the 2024 Asian Rowing Championships in Thailand marked a new chapter for the sport. The men’s team, consisting of Arvind Singh and Prithvi Sharma, clinched a gold medal in the lightweight double sculls category, bringing national attention to the sport.
The Rowing Federation of India (RFI) has played a critical role in promoting rowing, particularly through its collaboration with the Indian Army, which has produced some of the country’s finest rowers. Training programs in cities like Kolkata and Pune have attracted young athletes, and initiatives aimed at identifying talent in rural areas are starting to bear fruit. With India’s natural waterways, such as the Ganges and Godavari rivers, providing ideal conditions for training, rowing is set for rapid growth.
India’s rowers are now eyeing the 2028 Olympics as their next big goal, with intensive training programs in place to ensure that the country can compete with traditional rowing powerhouses. Government funding and private sponsorships are gradually improving, further boosting the sport’s development.
