Fisherman's Daughter Rose Mastica Meril To Represent India In World Rowing Cup II

Rose Mastica Meril, a fisherman daughter from Kanyakumari, will be representing her country in World Rowing Cup II scheduled to take place this year.

Interestingly, she didn't play any professional sport till July 2019. Her journey started when she was spotted by rowing coach Bhaskar Reddy during a talent hunt programme under Khelo India scheme. She was picked for training at the Shri Ramachandra Water Sports Centre (SWSC).

Despite receiving limited training during the lockdown period, she managed to win double sculls silver in junior national championships. She then won a bronze medal in Women's Four at the senior nationals held early this year. She is now in the Women's Eight team selected for the 2022 World Rowing Cup 2 scheduled in Poznan, Poland.

In an interview, she said that her father Alphonse Raj has been a constant support for her. Owing to her performance in junior and senior nationals, she eventually got a place in the national team.

Despite receiving limited training during the lockdown period, the fisherman managed to win double sculls silver in junior national championships and then won a bronze medal in Women's Four at the senior nationals held early this year.

Her coach 

Coach Reddy played a monumental role in her journey and gave her the right opportunities to excel. He said that he conducted a talent hunt programme for their centre in Kanyakumari and Nagercoil as youths from the fishermen community there are naturally built for water sports. He realised that she fulfilled the criteria. She practised and secured a place in the national team for the World Cup.

She is now a part of the Indian team that will compete against rowers from the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia and Germany in the World Cup.

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