National Rowing Championship: SSCB take top honours in Pune meet

The 43rd Senior National Rowing Championship concluded at the Army Rowing Node (ARN) in Pune with the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) securing the overall title, while the Army Sports Control Board (ASCB) finished second in the final standings.

Held from January 27 to 31 at the College of Military Engineering under the Mission Olympics Wing , the five day championship brought together rowers from state associations, institutional teams and services units across the country. The event featured multiple categories, including sculls, pairs and team races, with consistent competition throughout the schedule.

SSCB delivered steady performances across events to top the medal tally, while ASCB remained close behind. The results once again highlighted the strong presence of armed forces athletes in Indian rowing.

A key highlight of the meet was the Para Single Scull event , which reflected the sport’s focus on inclusivity and determination. The race drew appreciation from officials and participants for the competitive spirit shown by the rowers.

Several medal winning athletes from SSCB and ASCB train at the Army Rowing Node, reinforcing its role as a high performance training centre. Established in 2001 , the facility is India’s only man made international standard 2,200 metre rowing channel and regularly trains between 60 and 90 athletes.

The closing ceremony was attended by Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, along with senior Army officials and representatives of the Rowing Federation of India. The Army leadership commended the smooth conduct of the championship and reiterated its commitment to promoting competitive sport.

The ARN recently received World Rowing’s ‘Programme of the Year’ award for its contribution to the development of the sport. It has produced seven Olympians , and notably, the entire Indian rowing team at the 2023 Asian Games came from the armed forces system, winning five medals, including two silver .

The championship once again demonstrated the depth of talent in Indian rowing and the continued contribution of services teams to the sport’s national success.