Kochi boats to create ripples in Punnamada

With the 60th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race all set to put Punnamada lake on fire, the boat clubs in Ernakulam are also planning to be part of the extravaganza. A chundan vallam and a few odi vallams from the district, will participate in the race.

Magnificent in sight is Sree Vinayaka, the snake boat of the Amrita Boat Club South Paravur. The captain of Sree Vinayaka, P V Raju, said that they have been participating in the race for the last seven years.“This year, we have rented a snake boat from Haripad for Rs 1.5 lakh. Rigorous training has being given to the 110 oarsmen for 15 days. The total expenditure for the training will be Rs 20 lakh,” he said.

He also added that no stone would be left unturned to garner sufficient physical and mental strength required for the competition. “The participants are geared up for the race after the rigorous training imparted to them during the past 15 days on the Vembanadu lake. It is the craze for the boat race which is continuing to motivate them to participate in the boat race for the seventh time,” he added.

Expressing concern over the declining participation of boats from the district, Raju said that the lack of direct sponsorships is pulling people away. “Hoping to get back the invested money is just a dream. If you are participating from any district other than Alappuzha, there is hardly any chance for receiving sponsorhip.

This has led to the withdrawal of boats outside Alappuzha from the race. As we are getting sponsorship through the Nehru Trophy organisers, it has not been very difficult for us to participate,” Raju said.

An added bonus is that there are more number of odi vallams from Ernakulam this year.

Captain of St Sebastian, Ajith Koothambalm, said that they have been practising for the last one month.

“We have been maintaining strict diets. We will participate in the Iruttukuthy A and B grade competitions and will do our best at the race,” Ajith said.

The other odi vallams participating in the boat race are Hanuman No.1 of Swan Boat Club, Hanuman No.2 of Lions Boat Club, Moonuthaikal of Thanthoni Thuruth Boat Club , Parthasarathi of Maradu Sree Bhadra Boat Club and Vembanadan of Pachalam Coat Club.