Andhra Pradesh planning to start Water Sports Academy
Amaravati (AP), 17 Nov 2018: A high-standard powerboat Racing Academy is in the offing in Andhra Pradesh and it is only a matter of time before we see Indian drivers taking part in high-performance water sports, said Nicolo di San Germano, Promoter, H2O.
Talking on the sidelines after the official Formula One H2O driver inter-action on Saturday, the long-standing promoter allayed fears that the World Championship event on the waters of River Krishna will remain as a one-off event. “Our dream is to come back again for many years to come and if our plans go well, even many times in a year in the future. We had talks with the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and he is very keen to develop a sporting culture in Andhra Pradesh which has a huge coastline. It is not just River Krishna, we are looking at similar circuits on the beach front too,’’ added Nicolo, who has 25 years of experience running the sport worldwide. But the current round of the World Championship agreement is for one year and it is likely to enter the calendar for next year. However, it is not confirmed.
The Academy would be for children in the age group of 8 to 12 years. It would start from basics and help those aspiring a career in this sport to take up high-performance coaching. “The sport is much cheaper organise and run than a normal level Karting championship and with beautiful rivers like Krishna and other water bodies AP is well suited to embrace the sport,’’ the promoter said.
“Your CM not only wants to see Indian drivers in international events but one-day we want to see boats made in India take part in Indian colours. If the interest generated and the official thinking is any indication, that day is not far off,’’ he concluded.
As Promoter, Nicolo was instrumental in his ongoing 25-year tenure in bringing stability, a new direction, improved safety and an ever-broadening geographic footprint encompassing Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia and this expansion in India is set to help a growing commercial value. The Andhra Pradesh Government through AP Tourism has pumped in Rs.140 million (Rs.14 crore) into the World Championship Round in Vijayawada, near Amaravati.
