From correspondents in Uttar Pradesh, India, 05:32 PM IST

The Uttar Pradesh Rowing Association (UPRA) has started hectic preparations to host the National Junior Rowing Championship (NJRC), to be held here for the first time, Nov 17-22, an official said.

'The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has already granted us Rs.8 lakh (Rs.800,000) for organising the event,' UPRA secretary Harish Sharma told IANS.

He said the association already has 18 boats for the event. A rowing club is also being set up to offer various facilities for the sportspersons who will assemble here from several states.

The upcoming championship will witness participation of players from as many as 17 states, including Orissa, Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Chandigarh, officials said.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)