Inaugural ILCA Open India International Sailing Championship concludes in Hyderabad
The inaugural ILCA Open India International Sailing Championship concluded at Hussainsagar Lake in Hyderabad, marking a significant milestone for the EME Sailing Association. The week-long event featured 124 participants from various military and civilian sailing clubs competing across multiple ILCA categories.
Why it matters
The event highlights India's growing capacity to host international sailing competitions and underscores the role of military institutions in fostering elite athletic talent.
The inaugural ILCA Open India International Sailing Championship, held alongside the Yachting Association of India’s (YAI) 40th Hyderabad Sailing Week 2026, concluded at the EME Sailing Association (EMESA) on Hussainsagar Lake in Hyderabad on Saturday (July 18).
Lieutenant General Neeraj Varshney, Commandant of the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME) presided over the closing ceremony and presented awards to the winners, marking the culmination of a week-long sailing competition.
“The championship had fulfilled the vision of hosting India’s first International ILCA Open Championship at Hussainsagar, while reaffirming EMESA’s four-decade contribution to promoting sailing in the country,” said Lt. Gen. Varshney while adding that the institution had produced Olympians, Arjuna Awardees and several accomplished sailors over the years.
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