SDAT Asian Sailing Championship Cup & 11th India International Regatta Inaugurated in Chennai

Chennai: The SDAT ASAF International Youth Sailing Championship 2026 and the 11th India International Regatta (IIR) were formally inaugurated on Monday evening at Timber Pond, Chennai Port, marking the ceremonial start of one of India’s premier international sailing events.

The championship is being hosted by the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association (TNSA) with the support of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). The week-long event has attracted sailors from India and several countries across Asia and Europe, promising high-quality international competition.

Welcoming the dignitaries and participants, Meghanath Reddy, IAS, Member Secretary, SDAT, highlighted Tamil Nadu’s sustained commitment to building a robust sporting ecosystem through world-class infrastructure and international exposure for young athletes.

Rear Admiral Satish Shenai, NM, Flag Officer Tamil Nadu Area, in his special address, underlined the Indian Navy’s long-standing association with sailing and its role in nurturing discipline, seamanship and leadership among youth.

A major highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association and the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre (INWTC), Chennai. The MoU aims to strengthen sailing in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu through shared access to facilities, advanced training and long-term capacity building. The agreement was signed by Rear Admiral Satish Shenai, NM, and Ashok Thakkar, Vice President, TNSA.

S. Viswanathan, IAS, Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority, spoke on the Port’s historic association with maritime sport and reaffirmed its support for initiatives that connect youth engagement with India’s maritime heritage.

Satyabrata Sahoo, IAS, Principal Secretary, Youth Welfare & Sports Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, emphasised the importance of international exposure, institutional collaboration and sustained investment to produce future champions.

The championship was formally declared open by Inspector General Datwinder Singh Saini, TM, Commander, Coast Guard Region (East), who highlighted the shared values of discipline, preparedness and respect for the sea that bind sailing sport with India’s maritime services.

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Ashok Thakkar, Chairman, Organising Committee and Vice President, TNSA and YAI, who acknowledged the support of SDAT, the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Chennai Port Authority, sponsors, officials, volunteers and participating sailors.

Following the official flag-off, the Race Committee conducted a practice race to assess conditions. Winds averaged 12 knots, gusting up to 15 knots, presenting typically demanding Chennai sea conditions. Despite the challenging waters, nearly 90 per cent of the fleet completed the race, reflecting strong preparation and competitive spirit.

Each class recorded an average race duration of about 45 minutes. While experienced sailors welcomed the testing conditions, several younger competitors, sailing in Chennai for the first time, were seen conferring with coaches to refine strategies for managing swell and current.

Racing in the SDAT ASAF International Youth Sailing Championship 2026 and the 11th India International Regatta will continue over the coming days across multiple classes.

All races will be streamed live globally on the official YouTube channels of India International Regatta and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu.