Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated a Water Sports Center in Koldam Barmana, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, on Sunday morning. The Water Sports Centre, the very first of its kind in Himachal Pradesh, has been jointly initiated by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also exchanged between SAI and NTPC during the event.

Sharing how the centre was set up at short notice, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur mentioned, “In just one month’s time, the water sports arrangements have been done and I want to thank SAI and NTPC officials who have made this possible. “40 players will be chosen who will take part in Rowing, Kayaking and Canoeing. There are state of the art equipments and boys and girls will get hostel and training facilities. We are also hopeful there will be national competitions in the centre as well.”

The centre will be dedicated to training ahletes in water sports like Rowing, Canoeing and Kayaking.

Also during the event, Shri Thakur felicitated the Himachal Pradesh women's Kabaddi team who won a gold medal at the ongoing 36th National Games in Gujarat.

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NB/OA