Mumbai to host sailing and triathlon during Military World Games

Mumbai, May 25 (UNI) City denizens will witness one of the greatest sporting extravaganza in the form of fourth edition of the Counseil International du Sports Militaire (CISM) Military World Games, which are being hosted jointly by Hyderabad and Mumbai from October 14-21 this year.

Unfolding the schedule and key highlights of the mega sporting event, which is considered next to the Olympics in the international sports arena, Western Naval Command Flag Officer Chief-in-Command Vice Admiral Sangram Singh Byce said Mumbai would be hosting two of the most technical and infrastructure-intensive disciplines of sailing and triathlon and the event would put Mumbai on the sports map of the world.

The CISM is the largest authority for Military sports activity in the world which conducts the Military World Games, a multi-sport event once in every four years.

'' We are indeed proud of the fact that in just nine years of joining the games, India has been chosen to host the fourth edition.

This shows our capability to conduct events of such magnitude,'' he said.

Hosted by India for the first time, CISM is one of the biggest international sporting events held exclusively between serving armed forces personnel across the world. More than 6,000 participants from across 100-odd countries are likely to attend the event. The two disciplines, being held in Mumbai will see the participation of some 500 foreign sportsperson of international repute.

''This is for the first time the CISM were being organised outside Europe and I am sure it is going to be a lifetime experience for the people of this city,'' he said.

According to the schedule, sailing will be held at the Colaba-based Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre (INWTC), while triathlon will be held at Girgaum Chaowpati and Marine Drive.

''The sailing will be conducted in international enterprise class boats, which has two sails and each team of men and women categories will have two members to a boat,'' Vice Admiral Byce explained.

The gruelling event of triathlon comprises each athlete to first swim 1,500 meters, followed by cycling of 40 kms and running for a distance of 10 kms, which will make the race to a total of 51.5 kms.

Each country will yield a team of five male and five female athlete to compete in individuals and team events in triathlon.

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