History of Yachting Association of India Sailing in India can be traced back to 6th February, in the year 1830 in Bombay, presently known as Mumbai. After the Second World War, when the British left India there were 5 active sailing clubs, which were based at Bombay, Madras, Bangalore, Barrackpore and Nainital. As such the YAI is responsible for promoting the sport in the country, developing and training of judges, umpires and other administrators of the sport and representing the sailors in all matters concerning the sport. There are currently 55 clubs affiliated to the YAI, spread over the various parts of the country. The YAI is headed by Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff as its President and Lt Gen Rajiv Bhalla, the DGMT, Indian Army is the Vice President of the Association. Yachting Association of India in Sports After the year 1974, sailing has never been absent in the Asian Games. Sailing in the Asian Games is divided into 6 types of competitions for men and women. In the 17th edition of Asian Games held in 2018, Jakarta, history was made in the sailing contest when Varsha Gautham, 16 years old and Aishwarya Neduchezian, 18 years old, became the first ever Indian women to win a Bronze Medal for India. It was the role played by the Indian Navy in promoting yachting in India that had made it possible for them to achieve this feat. |