In just a short amount of time, the Whitewater Village at Umtham in Ri-Bhoi has produced a number of notable successes in canoeing and kayaking, as was seen in the results of the Indian Kayaking Canoeing Association selection trials over the weekend.
One Meghalayan, Elizabeth Vincent, became the sole person from the state to qualify for this year’s World Cup, which will present her with a shot at competing in the Paris Olympics this summer.
Vincent took first place in the Kayak Cross women’s event. In the K1 men’s category, Batskhem Nongbak finished in sixth, Pynshngaiñ Kurbah eighth and Manbhalang Kharkrang ninth. In the C1 men’s category, Indra Sharma from Meghalaya came sixth. Only the winners from the individual categories qualified for the World Cup.
Vincent is the daughter of the two founders of the Whitewater Village, Sheila and Ian Vincent.
While interacting with Elizabeth, Batskhem and Pynshngaiñ today, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said, “My idea was to really just come spend some time with you and to congratulate all the qualifiers. As your Chief Minister, I’m very proud of you, the way you have performed in such a short period of time.”
The CM had, in 2023, inaugurated a state government rafting project at Umtham.
Additionally, the three athletes, Elizabeth, Batskhem and Pynshngaiñ, are now eligible to be part of the India team in the International Canoe Slalom Tournament, which will be held in Russia in September.
Elizabeth (26) started her training with her coach and father Ian near Umtham village. She has represented Meghalaya in multiple national events, including the National Games, the Malabar River Festival and the Tawangchu Tides Festival in Arunachal Pradesh.
Batskhem (18) and Pynshngain Kurbah (19) have both participated in the Khelo India Games 2022. Batskhem, hailing from Umtham, was also trained by Ian and works as a daily wage labourer with a dream to pursue sports.
Pynshngaiñ, from Labyrwa, started paddling at a young age with coach Ian and secured a silver medal at the Khelo India Games 2022. He has also represented Meghalaya at the Malabar River Festival and events in Madhya Pradesh.
