It is well known that National Kayaking and Canoeing Championship is newly introduced in Udaipur and Rajasthan as well, but not many of us are aware of the fact that some of the very experienced Kayaks, who represented India, are from Rajasthan. Two among them are Ranbeer Singh of Jhunjunu and Bagh Ram Singh of Jaisalmer.

Ranbeer and Bagh Ram have been serving nation for more than 15 years, in kayaking and canoeing. In younger days of their carrier, they were amongst the best players of team India, thereafter, they were appointed as coaches of India and Indian Military.

Sneak peek into the personal achievements of both the players tells the status of Rajasthan among the top playing states of country. Ranbeer Singh was a player of canoeing, while Bagh Ram was a Kayak.

Ranbeer Singh started his carrier in 1989 and took a professional training in Kerala. Thereafter, he became a part of Indian team from 1991 to 2004, during which, he won 14 Gold medals consecutively in national tournaments and 4 gold and a silver medal in various International events.

Ranbeer was later appointed as a coach of Indian Military services Pali, which won 2 gold and 1 silver in world championship and Asian championship in 2011 and 2012 under his coaching. He finally retired from his services couple of months back.

Bagh Ram Singh, on the other hand, became a kayak since 1990 and remained a part of Indian team for the period of 8 years from 1993 to 2001, and won more than a dozen medals for the country. Currently he is a coach of India Kayak team.

“Rajasthan can also be developed as a competing state along with MP and Kerala, a simple reason being that we have lots of water bodies across state”, said Ranbeer Singh.

“Opportunity is ever increasing in India as far as game is concerned, but in absence of support of state governments, new talents cannot be tapped”, said Bagh Ram.