INSPIRE INSTITUTE OF SPORT (IIS), in collaboration with the Rowing Federation of India (RFI), has officially launched a dedicated women’s rowing programme, bringing together 24 athletes who will train in a high-performance environment aimed at strengthening India’s prospects in international rowing.
The programme will operate from the RWP-3 training facility in Ballari, part of the JSW Group ecosystem. The initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening India’s women’s rowing pipeline ahead of major international competitions such as the Asian Games and the Olympic Games.
The programme began with a comprehensive sports science testing phase at IIS between 18–25 February, during which 30 athletes underwent performance assessments. Based on the results, a final group of 24 athletes was selected to enter the next phase of structured training.
The initiative has already shown encouraging progress, with boats in the Women’s Coxless Pair and Women’s Coxless Four categories qualifying for the upcoming Asian Games. Key athletes include Diljot and Suman in the Coxless Pair, while Jigyasa, Tendenthoi, Aswathi and Gurbani are part of the Coxless Four crew. Aleena and Bhagyasri have been named as reserve athletes.
Training will take place at the RWP-3 facility in Ballari, which features a 2,300-metre stretch of water, closely aligned with the official 2,000-metre international racing distance—allowing athletes to train under competition-like conditions. The venue provides a controlled environment with no public boat traffic, enabling uninterrupted sessions aligned with coaches’ training schedules. The waterbody has been assessed and approved by RFI experts based on parameters such as course length, water quality, weather conditions and geographical suitability.
The programme currently operates with 12 rowing boats across multiple classes, including single sculls, double sculls, quadruple sculls, coxless pair and coxless four, enabling athletes to train across different competitive formats.
Looking ahead, IIS is exploring overseas training and competition opportunities, including potential collaborations with international experts, to further strengthen athlete development. The programme’s long-term roadmap focuses on achieving medal-winning performances at the Asian Games and preparing athletes to qualify in targeted events for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, according to a media release.
IIS president Manisha Malhotra said, “This programme is a reflection of strong collaboration, with the Rowing Federation of India playing a key role in making it possible. For our women rowers, this facility brings much-needed stability, world-class support, and the right environment to train and grow. It’s an important step towards giving them the platform they deserve and building towards success at the Asian Games and beyond.”
RFI president Balaji Mardapa added, “This truly marks a new beginning for rowing in India. I would like to thank IIS for their efforts and this strong partnership with the Rowing Federation of India. The vision goes beyond the Asian Games, with structured international exposure like the six-week training stint in Melbourne already showing visible improvements in technique and performance. I have personally seen the progress on the water, and I firmly believe Indian women’s rowing is set to reach heights never seen before in our history.”
