Shaping Champions, Building a Legacy
For decades, India’s potential in water sports has remained untapped—but that’s about to change. With a vision to create world-class athletes in kayaking and canoeing, THDC India Limited (THDCIL) has embarked on an ambitious journey to establish a high-performance training hub in Koteshwar, Tehri, Uttarakhand. This academy isn’t just a training ground—it’s a launchpad for India’s future champions, providing state-of the-art facilities and a structured pathway to the Olympics and international arenas. Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, and with the strong foundation laid during the tenure of then Hon’ble Minister of Power, Shri R.K. Singh, THDCIL has taken a monumental step toward redefining India's water sports ecosystem. This landmark initiative, backed by leading PSUs and national sporting bodies, is not just about training athletes—it’s about creating a legacy, developing Uttarakhand’s sports infrastructure, and empowering the youth with new career opportunities in water sports.
A Landmark Initiative in Indian Water Sports
In a historic move, THDCIL, the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA), the Olympic Association of Uttarakhand, and the Department of Yuva Kalyan and Sports, Government of Uttarakhand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on December 08, 2023, to establish this academy. The initiative will not only train and nurture athletes but also serve as a sports science and research center to improve techniques, performance analysis, and injury prevention strategies for Indian athletes. The academy’s strategic location at the downstream of Tehri Lake makes it an ideal setting for high-performance training, further promoting Uttarakhand as a hub for adventure and water sports tourism.
Vision
To create one of the world’s best state-of-the-art Kayaking & Canoeing High-Performance Academies, raising India’s medal tally at the Olympics and other international championships by fostering opportunities in water sports and providing a professional environment for athletes to reach their full potential.;
Mission
To identify, develop, and support talented athletes by establishing clear training pathways, performance systems, and structured programs aimed at achieving podium finishes at international events.;
Key Milestones Achieved
✔ 2022: The academy project was officially announced at the ‘4th Ranking and Open Canoe Sprint Senior (Men & Women) Championships, (Tehri Water Sports Cup)’ by then Hon’ble Minister of Power, Shri R.K. Singh, and Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami.
✔ 2023: The foundation stone was laid by Mr. Thomas Konietzko, President of the International Canoe Federation, alongside senior officials from the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA).
✔ 2024: The first athlete hostels, residential complexes, and a multi-sport auditorium have been completed. The Jetty Point is now operational, with full-scale infrastructure development continuing.
Objectives of the Academy
1. Develop a sustainable model for kayaking and canoeing that encompasses training and provides sponsorship opportunities for athletes to compete internationally.
2. THDCIL to serve as the primary title sponsor for Team India’s global representation in kayaking and canoeing.
3. Establish a High-Performance Academy dedicated to long-term athlete development and excellence at Koteshwar, Tehri (U.K.).
4. Create a community-driven and sustainable academy through the THDC-IKCA joint initiative, with a goal to secure Olympic, World Championship, and Asian Games medals.
5. Identify young athletic talents and provide structured opportunities for them to compete at national and international levels.
6. Implement the Long-Term Athlete Development Plan (LTAD) to optimize athlete performance through modern sports science, physiotherapy, and cutting-edge training facilities.
7. Facilitate Team India’s participation in major international championships, ensuring exposure to foreign training programs and competitions alongside global athletes.
A Strong Public Sector Collaboration
The establishment of this academy is a nationwide effort, with leading Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) providing crucial financial and infrastructural support:
✔ REC:-Invested ₹3.97 crore in building an Olympic-size swimming pool.
✔IREDA:-Contributed to the development of the Sports Science Centre Hall with the investment of ₹ 1.05 crore.
✔SJVN:-Sponsored the procurement of advanced gym equipment with the investment of ₹1 crore.
✔NHPC:-Supported the Sports Science Laboratory equipment with investment of ₹97.23 Lakhs. This collaborative approach ensures that the academy receives world-class infrastructure and training facilities, setting the foundation for Indian athletes to dominate international kayaking and canoeing events.
Recent Achievements
January 2025 – In a stellar performance at the Asian Canoe Sprint Cup held in Hong Kong from January 11th to 13th, 2025, the THDC-IKCA High-Performance Academy secured three gold and five silver medals, showcasing the academy's dedication to excellence.
February 2025 - At the 38th National Games held in Uttarakhand, the academy’s athletes delivered an outstanding performance, winning five gold and one silver medal, further solidifying its position as India’s premier training center for kayaking and canoeing.
Progress and Status of Academy Development
The High-Performance Academy is fully operational and steadily evolving. With support from IKCA, four foreign coaches have already visited and provided specialized training to athletes, significantly enhancing their performance and contributing to medal-winning achievements.
The academy officially commenced operations in March 2024, with its first batch of athletes joining in August 2024, followed by multiple batches since then.
To further strengthen the training infrastructure:
Procurement of advanced gym equipment and boats is underway, ensuring world- class training facilities.
India’s first Automatic Start System – I-MAS has arrived at the academy and will soon be installed, fulfilling the vision of Olympic-grade training for canoeing athletes.
Essential motorboats, including a catamaran and two rescue boats, have been procured to enhance safety and training efficiency.
The academy has also received Olympic-grade boats and paddles from Europe, elevating the quality of training and competition standards.
Additionally, two foreign coaches from Hungary and Germany have been shortlisted for Canoeing and Kayaking, ensuring that athletes receive world-class coaching expertise.
The academy continues to progress rapidly, solidifying its position as a premier high- performance center for kayaking and canoeing in India.
Tehri – A Future Hub for Water Sports Excellence
With this initiative, Tehri Lake is on way to become India’s premier destination for professional water sports. The academy will not only produce world-class athletes but also boost employment, tourism, and sports infrastructure in Uttarakhand. By investing in cutting-edge training, international exposure, and structured development programs, THDCIL is paving the way for a new era in Indian kayaking and canoeing, ensuring that the country emerges as a global powerhouse in water sports. The journey has begun—India’s future champions are in the making!
