Kerala postpones Nehru Trophy Boat race

As torrential rain lashes Kerala, the tourism department has decided to postpone the Nehru Trophy boat race, which was scheduled on Saturday (Aug 11) at Punnamada lake in Alappuzha. The tourism department has made the announcement considering the risk from the heavy rain and flood.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was invited as the chief guest of the event. About 78 boats will contest in different categories in the race this time. Twenty five chundan vallams (snakeboats) will participate in the 66th edition of the boat race. Apart from it, 26 boats in Iruttu Kuthi ‘A’, four boats each in Churulan and Iruttu Kuthi ‘B’, nine boats in Veppu ‘A’ and seven boats in ‘Veppu’’ B categories will compete the race. Three boats will participate in Thekkanodi category for women.

From this year onwards, the boat race would be conducted on IPL model. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race will be of qualifying nature and league matches will be held on the succeeding days by including the top 9 teams from the qualifying race. The league will have a total of 12 games, and will conclude on November 1 with the Kollam President Trophy Boat Race.