Gen K V Krishna Rao (Retd) inaugurated the Asia-Pacific Laser Championship at EME Sailing Club, Hussain Sagar Lake, Secunderabad. Speaking on the occassion, he said that sailing sport is gaining popularity.

Earlier, Maj Gen V K Dhir, Vice Chairman, Laser Class Association of India (LCAI) and Chairman of the organising committee said that Hyderabad was hosting the LCAI event second time after a gap of ten years. He said sailing was ecofriendly sport and needed to be encouraged. The Association has also taken up case with Sports Authority of India to start various laser sailing centres at Chennai, Goa, Bhopal and Visakhapatnam, he added.

The EME Sailing Association has taken upon the onerous task of publicising the sport to tap young talents. The Association has also been encouraging the students who are interested in picking up the sport to join the membership of the club. About 40 countries including Malaysia, Thailand and Australia participated in the week-long championship competition.