Admiral RK Dhowan PVSM, AVSM,YSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff and President Yachting Association of India felicitated Asian Games medal winners and officials at a programme held today at New Delhi. The function was organized jointly by the Yachting Association of India, Indian Navy and the Indian Army. Varsha and Ms. Aishwarya, winners of the Bronze Medal at the recently concluded Asian Games at Incheon, S Korea are the first Girls team to have won a medal in sailing competition for India. They are also the youngest yachtspersons to have ever won a medal for India in sailing at the Asian Games.The Council Members of the Yachting Association which include Lt Gen R Bhalla, Vice President, VAdm Chopra, VAdm Soni, Mr Ashok Thakkar, Mr Shankar Narayanan, Mrs Shantha Ravikumar, Cmde AS Bajwa (Retd), Maj gen S Pillai (Retd), Capt Amish Ved and Cmde Dhiren Vig the Secretary general were present.
Lauding the players for their achievement, Admiral Dhowan said the improved performance of our young sailors, across all classes of boats, was very heartening and indicative of more medals which could be won in future. During the interaction, Admiral Dhowan urged the yachtspersons to practice hard and win laurels in the forthcoming Olympics at Rio de Janerio, Brazil in 2016. Lt Gen Bhalla said that the players would be provided all possible support so that they do well in the Olympics.The Chief National Coach, Mr Peter David Conway, a British National, who was responsible for coaching the Indian contingent at the Games, was also present.