All India Inter-University Canoeing and Kayaking Championship-2026 Begins at CGC University, Mohali
Babushahi Bureau
Mohali (Punjab), November 4, 2026: The All India Inter-University Canoeing and Kayaking Championship-2026 (Men and Women) began at CGC University, Mohali, with over 500 players representing more than 50 universities from across the country.
The national-level championship aims to promote sporting excellence, discipline, determination and sportsmanship while providing young athletes an opportunity to showcase their talent and competitive abilities.
The inaugural event was attended by Haryana Sports Minister (Independent Charge) Gaurav Gautam and Mamta R. Aggarwal, Additional Secretary, Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
Among the other dignitaries present were CGC University Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Vinay Goel, Associate Director of Physical Education and Sports Lovedeep Mann, and Senior Director Sports Satish K. Sarhadi.
The event was also attended by Dr. Deepak Singh, General Secretary, Chandigarh Canoeing and Kayaking Association; Prof. R. Subramaniam, AIU Observer; Prerna Puri, IAS, Education Secretary, Education Department, Chandigarh Administration; Dr. Kanwar Mandeep Singh, Director, Guru Nanak Dev University; Shailendra Kumar, Regional Director, Sports Authority of India (SAI); and Sarvagya Thakare, Deputy/Assistant Director, SAI.
Several senior police and administrative officials also attended the championship, including Dr. Rakesh Malik, Director, Directorate of Sports and Campus Sports; Rajiv Ranjan Singh, IPS, DIG, UT Chandigarh; Vineet Kumar, IPS, SP Headquarters; Sukhdeep Singh, CPS, DSP Headquarters; P. Abhidanand, DSP, East Division; and Ram Gopal, CPS, DSP, North East Division.
The championship also witnessed the presence of prominent figures from Indian sports, including Olympian and Arjuna Award recipient Swarn Singh Virk and Padma Shri awardee Jagjit Singh.
Canoeing and kayaking require considerable physical strength, endurance, balance, technical proficiency and mental resilience. Inter-university competitions of this scale offer student-athletes an opportunity to test their abilities, gain national-level competitive experience and prepare for higher-level sporting events.
With participation from over 50 universities and the presence of distinguished personalities from the sporting, administrative and policing sectors, the championship is expected to provide an important platform for emerging talent and strengthen the sporting culture among university students.