Sports ministry recognition will help surfing grow, says SFI president Arun

THE Surfing Federation of India (SFI) had been knocking on the doors of the sports ministry for quite some time to get recognition that would help facilitate in identifying and nurturing talent.

- INDRANEEL DAS @Chennai

THE Surfing Federation of India (SFI) had been knocking on the doors of the sports ministry for quite some time to get recognition that would help facilitate in identifying and nurturing talent. After years of waiting, the federation finally got the nod. The SFI became the youngest NSF to be recognized by the ministry late last month. With this development, the SFI is now eligible for getting steady funding from the government. But before that, they have to conduct elections, have affiliated state units as part of the national body, hold national camps, appoint national coaches. The challenges are aplenty. SFI president, Arun Vasu, has been involved with the federation from a nascent stage. From developing the sport in a fishing village Kovalam, near Chennai, to recognition, he has faced numerous challenges.

In a candid interview with this daily, Arun says that he would be holding the elections right away and compliance with the Sports Code would be on top of his agenda. Excerpts...