Kolkata/IBNS: The 50th All India Invitation Schools Regatta Championship kicked off at Rabindra Sarobar on Sunday with an opening ceremony led by city Mayor Firhad Hakim in the presence of participating schools in and around Kolkata here on Sunday.

The event got off to a rousing start, with South Point boys and Modern High School for Girls winning their races against St. Lawrence High School and Delhi Public School in senior boys' and senior girls' pairs events, respectively.

Mayor of Kolkata Firhad Hakim interacting with one of the participating students.

This flagship regatta organised by Lake Club has been recognised in the country as the single most important event to promote this sport among the young students with the motto “Catch Them Young."

The event would consist of three primary disciplines—coxed fours, double scull, and indoor rowing for junior boys and girls (up to class X) and senior boys and girls (classes XI and XII).

Inaugurating the event, Janab Hakim complimented Lake Club for organising the event, which has been serving as the budding rowers for the intending rowers in the state.

The club also felicitated some veteran oarsmen of the club, including Shakeel Ahmed and Subhasish Dasgupta, for their excellence and contribution to this sport.

Abhijit Basu, joint convenor of the event, said, "The club has undertaken all necessary safety measures, and all the participants will have to qualify for the required tests."

"Besides, the usual rescue boats and ambulances are being kept ready for any emergency throughout the championship," he added.

From tomorrow, various rounds of the regular rowing will be held in the morning, while the indoor rowing and other indoor events will be held in the afternoon.

The finals will be held on May 17.