In order to generate fresh interest in the sport, in 1966 students were brought in as members, and today they form the hub of the rowing activity. In 1967, the centenary year of the club, MBC won the prestigious Willingdon Fours at the ARAE regatta. Enthusiasm was never lacking in the club and several people have contributed to its growth. In the early seventies, Borun Chanda introduced a pattern of organised coaching and training and this paved the way for better performances on the water. It was not long before the results showed; in 1972 MBC won the Willingdon trophy and followed it up the very next year by winning all the three trophies at the ARAE regatta. Indian National Rowing Championships After a few years, the Rowing Federation of India was formed, primarily through the efforts of the members of the Madras Boat Club. In 1977 the first Indian National Rowing Championship was held in Calcutta. Tamil Nadu was represented by rowers from the Madras Boat Club. At the 1980 Nationals at Calcutta, MBC rowers helped Tamil Nadu win the gold in the Coxed Fours event. The 1981 Nationals at Pune saw one of the best performances. The MBC team representing Tamil Nadu won four of the available six gold medals and was awarded the shield for the 'Best team in Tamil Nadu' by the Tamil Nadu Sports journalist's Association. International Games At the 1982 Asian Games at New Delhi, rowing was introduced as a sport for the first time. The rowing events were held on the Ramgarh Lake in Jaipur. Several members of the MBC contributed in conducting this major event: Chacko Kandathil was one of the Indian coaches, Gopal Madhavan officiated as an International umpire, and S. Ravi and M. V. Sriram were selected to form part of the Indian team. The year 1983 saw the Indian team participate in the World Rowing Championship for the first time, with Borun Chanda was the Chief Coach. The club had always extended its facilities to any organisation involved in the sport. Several of the nominees of the Tamil Nadu Amateur Rowing Association were permitted to use the club's facilities for the purpose of training. Female Participants Changes were in store in 1988 as women began to prove their skills in the sport. Five girls, Vijaya Chari, Arati Rao, Gayatri Acharya, Pavitra Rao and Chatura Rao (cox), began training under