Asian Games 2026 | From rescue operations in Kerala backwaters to silver at Japan, Prince and Manu sail together

Thiruvananthapuram: The two youths from Kerala, who clinched the silver medal in the men's skiff opening race 9 of the Asian Games sailing competition on Thursday (October 1) were among the scores of persons form the fishermen community of Keralam who took part in the rescue operations during the 2018 floods.

Manu Francis and Prince Kurisinkal Noble hailing from Varapuzha and Pallippuram coastal areas of Kochi are cousins.

Asian Games 2026 | Childhood buddies Manu Francis and Kurisinkal Noble clinch silver in sailing

From venturing into professional sailing as kids to clinching international medals, the duo have been sailing together in life.

Prince's father Noble, who was also part of the 2018 flood rescue operations, even lost life due to flood related illness.

"There's no limit to our excitement as two of our children have made such a big achievement fighting the odd factors of life," Manu's father Francis told DH.

"Both Manu and Prince, who's my wife's sister's son, could reach this level in life with the support of many like Suresh Pillai who initiated in forming a local yachting club to their coach Madhu who took them to the national and international levels," says Francis.

Prince's father Noble was a very well experienced fisherman who used to work in rough sea conditions and owned a fibre boat. He led a team of fishermen in rescue operations in nearby areas during the 2018 floods. Both Manu and Prince too had accompanied him, said Francis, who is mostly involved in fresh water fishing .

Though the two youths are from fishermen families and quite familiar with water, their entry to professional sailing was facilitated by a local yachting club - Muziris Yachting Club.

Suresh Pillai along with some of his friends started the Muziris Yachting Club. They conducted a camp in the locality in 2008.

"We came across the camp and since the children showed interest we took them to the camp. The two were selected. That made their entry to professional sailing," recollects Francis.

Pillai said that coach Madhu had identified the talent of the two boys and hence he initiated in taking them for training in National Sailing School in Bhopal. Guidance of retired Colonel Navneet Mittal, who also supported the formation of the club, also played a key role in the career of Manu and Prince.

The career in sailing even helped them in securing a job in the Indian Army. They had won many medals including a bronze medal in the Asian Sailing Championships.

Pillai laments that the club is now remaining defunct as the training expenses have gone up. But still many children are showing interest in the field.