The development of sailing in Chennai is all set to move up a notch higher. This would be facilitated by a recently signed MoU between Tamil Nadu Sailing Association (TNSA), Indian Coast Guard and Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDATN). This MoU is being seen as a positive curve up in the development and strengthening of sailing and other water sports activities, besides sharing expertise and creating new opportunities for training, TNSA Secretary General Nilima V Sha, reveals, adding a major highlight of this three-way partnership will be the conduct of Asian Sailing Championship forYouth Classes in Chennai later this year. SDAT will financially support this prestigious competition, which will place Tamil Nadu on the continental sailing map. The hosting of this competition would also inspire the next generation of sailing sportspersons besides reinforcing Tamil Nadu’s premier position in the conduct and development of sailing sport.
For the Coast Guard, an important wing of the country’s defence sector established in 1977, the new involvement in sailing sport marks a new turn in it’s active role in supporting sporting events especially the water sports along India’s coastline. And, the MoU collaboration marks a new landmark initiative for the Tamil Nadu government through SDATN, which has been striving to make TN a frontline state in sports in the country through meaningful initiatives like Champion Development Scheme, Mission International Medal and Elite Sports Persons Scheme, besides creation of sporting infrastructure in many districts.
From left to right: Dr Atulya Misra, IAS., Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department, Ashok Thakkar — Vice President, Tamil Nadu Sailing Association, DGlCG Paramesh Sivamani, AVSM, PTM, TM Director General Indian Coast Guard, DIG IJ Singh, PD (MP&T) CGHQ, Deputy Inspector General Indian Coast Guard and Meganatha Reddy, IAS., Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu.
What’s more, the state’s plan to set up India’s first sailing academy has already excited serious sailing sportspersons. The MoU also has another important objective of developing employment pathways for trained youth into the Coast Guard as well as other defence services.
Meanwhile, October 12 , 2025 turned out to be a day of celebration for TNSA and the sailors what with Chennai’s two-time Olympian sailor Nethra Kumanan claiming the first position (winner) at the ILCA Olympic Format Test Event at Vilamoura, Portugal. She exhibited a consistent and commanding performance competing in the ILCA 6 class. She bagged the gold competing against a strong international line up. The victory, besides coming as another milestone in Nethra’s bright career, reaffirmed her status as one of India’s most accomplished sailors. She has been dominating the Asian sailing circuits with notable achievements like Gold at the 2022 Asian Championship and multiple podium finishes in international regattas. Nethra has represented India at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics, bereft of medal success though, it may be recalled.
Nethra’s commendable progress in sailing sport, and the recognition as world class Tamil Nadu’s sailing facilities at Chennai and Ramanathapuram are being looked at as a source of inspiration for the next generation of sailors, says TNSA Secretary General Nilima Sha.