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A wonderful and historic news is coming out for the sports world and youth from Gorakhpur, the home district of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the main center of Purvanchal. Administrative preparations for setting up a ‘Center of Excellence’ for the sport of rowing in the world class ‘Water Sports Complex’ located at the famous Ramgarhtal of Gorakhpur have started on a war footing.
This modern center, being built on the joint initiative of Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Rowing Federation of India ($RFI$), will be completely built as per international standards. Following strict and clear instructions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state’s Sports Department and Gorakhpur Development Authority (GDA) have accelerated the pace of developing its blueprint and facilities on the ground. After the implementation of this centre, Gorakhpur will be established as the biggest rowing training hub not only in Uttar Pradesh but in the entire country.
Ramgarhtal becomes the first choice for National Championships, CM himself is monitoring
Within the last three years, Ramgarhtal of Gorakhpur has emerged as the most favorite and suitable center for national level rowing competitions. So far, four big and high-profile national competitions including ‘Khelo India University Games’ have been successfully and grandly organised.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself has encouraged the players by attending the final matches of many national championships and grand prize distribution ceremonies as the chief guest. The Chief Minister has a clear vision that once the international level water sports complex becomes operational, the naturally rich Ramgarhtal has 100 percent potential to become a global hub of water sports and tourism.
President of Rowing Federation of India said: Gorakhpur is the ‘first choice’
Rowing Federation of India (RFI) National President M. Balaji Maradappa in his recent statement has selected Gorakhpur as the ‘National Center of Excellence’ for Rowing in the country. ‘First Choice’ That is, it is said to be the first choice. He says that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has completely rejuvenated Ramgarhtal by taking personal interest. This unprecedented development and creation of a world class water sports complex has given a completely new and positive direction to rowing and other aquatic sports in Uttar Pradesh.
During the recently concluded ‘Junior National Rowing Championship’ in Gorakhpur, top officials of Rowing Federation and UP Rowing Association had met the Chief Minister and placed the demand for this centre. Immediately after this, Sports Minister Girish Chandra Yadav, Principal Secretary of Sports Department Suhas LY ($IAS$), Sports Director Dr. RP Singh, GDA Vice President Abhinav Gopal and technical officers of the Federation conducted a thorough inspection of the water sports complex and completed detailed brainstorming on the required global standards.
GDA will develop world class infrastructure: gym, dormitory and cafeteria
Giving information about the progress of the project, Vice Chairman of Gorakhpur Development Authority (GDA), Abhinav Gopal said, “GDA will prepare all the space, infrastructure and modern facilities required as per international standards for this prestigious ‘Center of Excellence’ of SAI within the time limit. Under this, the campus will have a state-of-the-art gymnasium, hi-tech cafeteria, sports doctors’ room, physiotherapy center and accommodation for players coming from far-flung places. Dormitories with full facilities are being constructed as per the standards.
Players of Purvanchal will get the support of international level coaches.
After the formal opening of this center in Gorakhpur, promising players from local and across the country will be able to get modern training of international level here. According to Sudhir Sharma, Secretary of UP Rowing Association, foreign and national level head coaches having experience of Olympic and Asian Games will be deployed by Sports Authority of India (SAI) in this Center of Excellence. These coaches will introduce the players to modern techniques and nuances of the game. This will especially benefit the talented players from the rural areas of Purvanchal and Uttar Pradesh and they will not have to go to other states or foreign countries for world class training.
Travelogue of major national competitions held in Ramgarhtal
Hosting major competitions continuously proves how excellent Ramgarhtal’s track record has been:
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May 2023: Successful organization of rowing competition of Khelo India University Games (KIUG).
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October 2024: Grand hosting of Sub Junior National Rowing Championship.
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March-April 2026: Special training camp of the National Women’s Rowing Team for the preparations for the Asian Games (Asiad 2026).
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12 to 16 May 2026: Successful organization of Asmita National Women Rowing League.
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17th to 21st May 2026: Historic conclusion of 46th Junior National Rowing Championship.
The continuous hosting of national competitions and now the complete preparations of this ‘Center of Excellence’ of SAI have made it completely clear that in the coming times, Gorakhpur is going to establish a new and strong identity on the global sports map as India’s largest water sports and rowing centre.
