The tranquil waters of Umiam Lake turned into a vibrant hub of sporting activity on Friday as the Meghalaya Sailing Club launched a special three-day campaign to mark National Sports Day. The event, which began on August 29, brought together young students, seasoned sailors, and adventure enthusiasts with the shared goal of promoting sports, fitness, and the joy of sailing. With 65 participants joining on the opening day, the campaign reflects the growing popularity of water sports in the state and its potential to inspire a new generation of athletes. Under the national initiative “Every State, Every Lake”, the programme seeks to take sailing beyond coastal regions and introduce it to inland water bodies like Umiam, thereby making it more accessible to people from diverse backgrounds.
The inaugural ceremony witnessed a unique mix of participants — 15 trained sailors from the Umiam Sailing Club (USC), 30 enthusiastic students from Christ School, and 10 kayakers from White Water Village. Together, they took a collective sports pledge, affirming their commitment to physical fitness and teamwork. This was followed by an introductory session on sailing fundamentals, aimed at breaking the perception that the sport is exclusive or difficult to learn. Speaking on the occasion, an organising committee member said, “The overwhelming response on the first day is proof that people are open to exploring sailing. Our effort is to demystify the sport and show that it is for everyone, not just professionals.” The campaign has been organised by the Umiam Sailing Club in partnership with the UDAY Sailing Foundation and under the guidance of the Yachting Association of India, with valuable support from the Meghalaya Government.
Day two of the event, scheduled for Saturday, promises an action-packed line-up. Activities will begin at 7 am with a ‘Run for Fun’ around the picturesque lakeside, followed by yoga sessions on the floating pontoon, blending fitness with serenity. Later in the day, experienced sailors will take part in practice races, while beginners and visitors will enjoy motorboat rides designed to introduce them to the thrill of water sports. The campaign will culminate on Sunday, August 31, with a grand regatta stretching from 9 am to 4 pm. The regatta will showcase competitive sailing at its finest, pitting trained sailors against one another in a series of races across the lake. A prize distribution ceremony followed by the closing session at 5 pm will bring the curtain down on the three-day celebration.