ILCA Open India International Sailing Championship Concludes At Hussainsagar
The inaugural ILCA Open India International Sailing Championship, held alongside the Yachting Association of India’s 40th Hyderabad Sailing Week 2026, officially concluded on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The prestigious event took place at the EME Sailing Association (EMESA) premises on Hussainsagar Lake in Hyderabad, marking a historic milestone for the local and national sailing communities.
Lieutenant General Neeraj Varshney, who serves as the Commandant of the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME), presided over the closing ceremony as the chief guest. During the ceremony, he presented awards to the winning sailors, bringing a successful close to the week-long international sailing competition.
Addressing the gathering at Hussainsagar Lake, Lieutenant General Varshney expressed that the championship had successfully fulfilled the vision of hosting India’s first International ILCA Open Championship. He also took the opportunity to reaffirm the EME Sailing Association’s four-decade legacy of promoting the sport of sailing in India. He highlighted that the institution has produced Olympians, Arjuna Awardees, and numerous accomplished sailors over the years.
The landmark championship featured a total of 124 sailors, including 19 women and girls. The diverse group of competitors represented 19 different sailing clubs and institutions. These participants came from various backgrounds, including the Army, Navy, and civilian sailing establishments, alongside international competitors who traveled to Hyderabad for the event.
The week-long competition saw intense races held across multiple categories. Sailors competed in the ILCA-7, the ILCA-6 (which featured separate divisions for men and women), and the ILCA-4 (which was organized for boys and girls).
The event was hosted by the EME Sailing Association under the aegis of the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering. The successful execution of the championship was made possible through a collaboration with the International Laser Class Association and the Yachting Association of India.
