CHENNAI: If a proposal that is being positively considered by the State Tourism department materialises, you could hope to have a whole range of water sports in North Chennai’s beaches.Responding to the representations of legislators in the Tamil Nadu Assembly last Saturday, Tourism Minister Gokula Indira said her department would consider requests for boating in Chetpet lake besides bringing water sports to North Chennai.While T Nagar MLA VP Kalairajan appealed that the Chetpet lake be developed into a boating facility for pleasure trips, Dr Radha Krishnan Nagar legislator P Vetrivel urged that the vast coastline of North Chennai be utilised to set up water sports amenities. “A proposal has been submitted by an official detailing the scope and viability for water sports in Chennai. Such things will be, no doubt, a thing of joy for the people. The government is seized of the issue,” the minister said, adding that preparatory work including spot evaluation would be taken up by the Tourism Department.What do water sport enthusiasts feel about the proposal? Shweta Sadanandan, a gold medal winning sailing champion said it was high time the city got such facilities as presently only sailing and swimming amenities were available. She said, “Chennai has a huge potential waiting to be tapped. It is a welcome initiative.”Commodore Ashok Takkar of Tamil Nadu Sailing Association is excited about the whole idea. “Besides fun and entertainment for the people, this will create new employment opportunities. No doubt our fishermen will see a new window of opportunity opening up for them.”A water sport enthusiast and Secretary of Yelagiri Adventure Sports Association, C Jayakrishnan said, “People need to actually get trained and participate in sports like para-sailing, scuba diving or jet ski-ing to enjoy the rejuvenating feel. There is also scope for our youth to become professionals and earn.”Engaged in scuba diving and para sailing for many years in Australia and USA, Jayakrishnan cautions that selecting the right location is extremely important.“Actually, the beaches have to be developed for bringing water sports. It needs a substantial investment of many crores of rupees, planning and execution. The government could even consider a PPP model if needed,” he said.Although replicating water sport facilities like Goa may not be possible, Chennai could, no doubt, make an earnest beginning.
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