Thiruvananthapuram
The Sport Climbing Federation of India (SCFI) elected Dr. Rajmohan Pillai, Chairman of the Beta Group, as its new president at a meeting held at the Trivandrum Tennis Club on Sunday. Dr. Rajmohan’s election marks a pivotal moment for the SCFI, signaling a new era of leadership and vision for sport climbing in India.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Rajmohan emphasized his commitment to promoting sport climbing, particularly focusing on its Olympic potential. Our goal is to secure podium finishes at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, he stated. Additionally, I am dedicated to developing sport climbing infrastructure nationwide, aiming for over 1 million registered players from all parts of India.
He stressed the importance of incorporating sport climbing into school curriculums, noting that students spend approximately 25,000 hours in school from 1st to 12th grade. We plan to enrol 1,000 new athletes each year, providing professional training to excel in national and international competitions, he added.
The meeting, led by General Secretary Col. S.P. Malik and Vice President Brig. Yadav, celebrated recent successes of young Indian athletes, particularly at the Asian Kids Championship in December 2023. Dr. Rajmohan highlighted India’s progress in sport climbing over the past year.
Team India has earned numerous accolades in sport climbing competitions recently, he proudly stated. At the Asian Kids Championship in Jamshedpur, India won the most medals.
Dr. Rajmohan also highlighted the importance of sport climbing in the Olympics and the need for comprehensive support for athletes, including physical, psychological, and nutritional aspects.
