Annual competition: Rear Admiral Upal Kundu flagged off the sailing regatta
Chennai: Around 80 sailors from the Armed Forces and civilian sailing community came together at Royal Madras Yacht Club on Saturday for the FOTNA Sailing Cup 2026, an annual competition that promotes sailing among young people. Instituted in 2018, the event has grown into a platform for sailors to compete and share their experience and interest in the sport. The Navy also highlighted the Navy Youth Sports Company, set up jointly by the Indian Navy and the Sports Authority of India at INS Mandovi, Goa, in 2017.
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Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA) Rear Admiral Upal Kundu, who was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal, said the sport reflected the Navy’s long-standing relationship with the sea, and helped develop discipline, judgement, teamwork, confidence and respect for nature. Quoting the saying, “a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”, Kundu encouraged young sailors to carry the lessons learnt at sea into their lives and face challenges with courage and perseverance. He urged the participants to encourage more young people to take up sailing and said those who find their calling at sea could consider a career with the Navy.
The Navy spoke about its traditionally constructed stitched sailing vessel, the ‘INSV Kaundinya’. It is made of wood and coconut coir rope, sealed with natural resins and without metal fastenings. Based on ancient Indian shipbuilding technology, the vessel completed its maiden overseas voyage from Porbandar to Muscat and back. The programme identifies promising young sailors and provides them with competitive training, education, boarding and lodging, and offers them a pathway to join the Navy. Download the TOI App.