Inspire Institute of Sport Launches Women's Rowing Programme in Collaboration with Rowing Federation of India
The Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) has officially launched a dedicated women's rowing programme in collaboration with the Rowing Federation of India (RFI). This initiative brings together 24 elite athletes who will train in a high-performance environment designed to strengthen India's prospects in international rowing competitions.
Programme Details and Location
The programme will operate from the RWP-3 training facility in Bellary, which is part of the JSW Group ecosystem. This marks a significant step in bolstering India's women's rowing pipeline ahead of major international events, including the Asian Games and the Olympic Games. The launch ceremony was led by Manisha Malhotra, IIS President, with Balaji Maradapa, RFI President, serving as the Chief Guest.
Statements from Key Figures
Manisha Malhotra emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, "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."
Tathagata Mukherjee, COO of IIS, added, "Rowing has been a clear priority for us, and in less than a year we've built a strong high-performance ecosystem. In just four months, we have been able to create the infrastructure and readiness at IIS. From facilities to bringing together some of the best women rowers in the country, this progress would not have been possible without the support of the JSW group. We are already seeing early impact, including two medals at the 2025 Asian Rowing Championships, and this is just the beginning of our push towards consistent international success."
Balaji Mardapa, President of RFI, commented, "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."
Selection Process and Early Progress
The programme commenced with a comprehensive sports science testing phase at IIS between 18 and 25 February 2026, where 30 athletes underwent performance assessments. Based on the results, a final group of 24 athletes was selected for 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: Diljot and Suman in the Coxless Pair, and Jigyasa, Tendenthoi, Aswathi, and Gurbani in the Coxless Four, with Aleena and Bhagyasri serving as reserve athletes.
Training Facility and Equipment
Training will take place at the RWP-3 facility in Bellary, which features a 2,300-metre stretch of water. This is closely aligned with the official 2,000-metre international racing distance, enabling athletes to train under competition-like conditions. The venue offers a controlled environment with no public boat traffic, allowing uninterrupted sessions aligned with coaches' training schedules. The waterbody has been assessed and approved by experts from the Rowing Federation of India based on 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
- Coxless four boats
This enables training across different competitive formats, ensuring comprehensive preparation for various events.
Future Plans and Long-Term Goals
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 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This strategic approach aims to elevate Indian women's rowing to new heights on the global stage.
