SHILLONG, APR 6: Meghalaya successfully concluded the 4th North East Regatta 2026 with a grand ceremony at the Water Sports Complex, Umiam, cementing its status as an emerging hub for competitive sailing in India.
Organised by the Yachting Association of India in association with Umiam Sailing Club and supported by the Tourism Department, the five-day championship drew over 100 sailors across categories such as ILCA 4, Optimist, 420 Mixed, 29ER and Techno 293.
The regatta, a national ranking event, also served as a trial for India’s Asian Games sailing squad.
Lt Gen TSA Narayanan, AVSM, Vice President of YAI, praised the organisers, saying, “I have seen a large number of sailing events being conducted, but no sailing event is conducted in India in this grand way.”
He noted it was the only sailing competition in the country with cash awards totalling over ₹10 lakh, adding that its affordability and seamless logistics stood out.
Winners included Ankit Singh Sisodiya and Tulsi Patle (ILCA 4), Rudresh Singh Patel and Mayank Rajput (29ER Boys), Malaysia Sailing Association’s 420 Class team, and Maharashtra’s Arjun Marathe and Vritika Sandeep Mhatre (Techno 293).
League Director Alok Kumar Yadav highlighted the cooperative effort, thanking the Indian Army, Meghalaya’s departments and local agencies.
“Competing alongside foreign sailors gave Indian athletes invaluable learning opportunities,” he said, commending the race committee for ensuring full safety on and off water.
The ceremony also felicitated technical officials and featured cultural performances under the Chief Minister’s Grassroots Music Programme.
Officials said back-to-back international sailing events have boosted Meghalaya’s image as a premier water-sports destination with Umiam emerging as the sport’s new capital in India.
By Our Reporter
