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As part of an effort to obtain the
International status for the prestigious and esteemed boat race of
Kerala, the
Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Kerala State Sports Council decided to make unified
rules for this competition.
The secretary of council G.Kishore said that a draft by-law has already been
prepared for it. As the next step, it would present this to the general body
including representatives of boat clubs in Alappuzha and subsequently, submit it
to the state Government. The new rule categorizes championship in six groups.
Along with it, the length of boats, number of rowers, length of oars was
suggested to be unified. Registration will be granted to clubs and boats.
The council
has to cross some hurdles to get an International status for the
Nehru Trophy
Boat Race, which is organized annually at the Punnamada backwaters in Alappuzha.
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The very first step is
to assure state championship status to this boat race, which attracts
thousands of domestic and foreign travelers.
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Next step is the
formation of a national federation of related parties. Only then it can
contact related International organizations.
Presently, the
participation in the boat race is confined to local boats only. However, it got
a new dimension as a team of foreign women rowed in the championship in 2006 –
2007. But their participation was only in the race of
‘Veppu Boats’. The main attraction and
elegance of the championship is the competition of
‘Chundan Boats’. It is almost similar
to dragon boats in China and Singapore.
If Championship gets an International status, it will present a new face to the
Chundan Boat Races. The participation of
more foreigners can help to boost sports tourism in Kerala. Experts assess that
there are many infrastructural elements for it in Kerala.
They also added that the relevance for Nehru
Trophy Boat Race through International participation will be beyond
expectations.
Nehru
Trophy International Boat Race - Part 2
Contributed By:
C. Radhakrishnan
is an English Journalist and writes articles in National Dailies. He writes
articles on topics such as history, politics, business, environment and tourism
in Kerala.
chelangatt@yahoo.com
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