CHANDIGARH, Sept 3: The top priority of any aquatic club is to have a `rescue boat'. But it is not on the list of Chandigarh Lake Club which is functioning without a rescue boat for the past couple of months. The Lake Club has currently borrowed a boat from the CITCO to manage its affair.It may be recalled that Sukhna Lake has the best course for water sports activities including rowing not only in the country but it is best in Asia. During the Asian Rowing Championship held in 1989 and 1994 at the Sukhna Lake, the experts have gone on record saying that, ``the course is excellent.'' However, the Chandigarh Sports Department due to lack of proper planning has failed to give a facelift to water sports in general and the sportspersons in particular who come to avail the facilities at the centre.The officials of the Sports Department claimed that the Lake Club would be having its own motor boats shortly. Since then more than two months have elapsed, but the motor boats are no where to be seen even in the vicinity of the club.Since the water course at the Sukhna Lake is excellent, the Rowing Federation of India, decided to hold camp for the national rowers in preparation for the forthcoming Asian Games to be held at Bangkok. Three four-week coaching camps have been held, and the fourth one is in progress. Their training had a setback due to non-availability of a motor boat. Had Chandigarh Rowing Association, not handled the situation, the campers would have suffered more.Since Punjab and Haryana departments refused to oblige this time due to flood situation faced by both the state. The CRA approached the army for the motor boat.Why, the Chandigarh Sports Department has not been able to buy new boats and install the two engines which have been lying with them for the past few month?Two years back, when the two motor boats engines mechanically went out of order, the department decided to buy new along with the boats. However, the engines were ordered, but the department forget to place orders for the boats, which reflect their functioning.There has been some drawback in ordering of two engine also. Though two officials of the department went to Mumbai to get the engines, some parts were missing when the consignment was opened recently.In normal circumstance, the size of the boats are ordered in relation to the horsepower of the engine. But the Sports Department procured the engine first and then ordered for the boats. When the consignment of the engines was opened recently to install one of engine on the CITCO motor boat, the officials of the department realised their folly and they changed the specification of the boats to the concern manufacturer according to the horse power of the engines. However, the Lake Club is still awaiting the boats.
