R. Venkatnarayan
Chennai: When Philip James and Saketh Reddy, the two youngsters of Madras Boat Club, won the Under-19 Asia Cup doubles gold in the Asian Rowing Federation regatta in Singapore last year, it was but a small step towards making mark.
16-year-old Saketh Reddy, was initiated into rowing via a summer camp. Certainly not falling in love at the firsts sight his passion for the sport grew gradually. That he has made big strides shows when his trophy list includes silvers (Kolkata nationals in 2014 single sculls, 2105 in Bengaluru) a silver also for double sculls and a double sculls gold in Singapore.
His double sculls partner Philip (18), inspired by his father inspired took up rowing, took a break for a couple of years for his studies is now doing his computer science from Loyola.
Comparing themselves with rowers from the country and abroad, they do not see themselves too far behind in terms of speed or technique. However, in terms of facilities the other rowers are better off. Explains Philip the stretch here is about 1000m but we need to go practice for about 2000m, AS rowing is all about rhythm not just a few strong strokes. Constant practice over 2000m will help. "Also," chimes in Saketh who plans to study law, "we have to juggle between studies and rowing."
There are some strong oarsmen from some universities like the Punjab university, Patiala, and those from the Army. For them rowing is almost full time whereas we have to juggle between our studies,
Their aim for now is to make it to the Indian camp and say their timings are almost there at least in the junior section. "For the seniors camp, however, we have to work harder." And till then it is their passion which helps them keep going.
