Nehru Trophy Boat Race: Kumarakom is where all the action is now

Kumarakam: The preparations for the Nehru Trophy boat race has gathered momentum and has ushered in lot of excitement in the eastern regions of Kumarakom. Three clubs from Kumarakom are competing in this famous boat race and it has become a matter of prestige for each club to win the race. Karichal of Vembanad Boat Club, Anary of Town Boat Club were the two snake boats which began their practice session on Friday. Payippadu Chundan of Village Boat Club will start practicing from July 31. With St. George Chundan set to begin the practice session soon, the excitement is palpable and will soon spread to Thiruvarpu and adjoining areas. In the coming days snake boat race enthusiasts will throng the banks of Mutherimada and Vetticattu thodu were the boats have been undergoing their practice races. Fans from Eastern regions and Kuttanad are expected to reach here to watch the practice session of the boats. Dysp K.M. Anto inaugurated the practice session of Anary chundan. Former captain Joseph Philip Manayath flaged off the practice session. Club president Vinu Alex Manayath, panchayat president A.V. Salimon, ward members Usha Sali, V.S. Sugesh, A.V. Thomas, V.S. Raghu, D.G. Prakashan and K.N. Prasad spoke on the occasion. Sunil Joseph Vanchikkal is the captain while Kujumon Churathara is the team captain. Boat club president Vinu Alex Mayath, secretary Vimal Damodaran Amangiri, Joemon Jacob were also present during the inaugural ceremony. V.V. Ashokan, the Srikumaramangalam Devasom president, inaugurated the practice session of Vembanad Boat Club. Vasudevan the hero of Ottal film flagged off the practice session. Club president Ajay Gosh presided over the function. Unni Wayanad, the melshanthi of Thekkumkara Ardhanarishara temple, handed over the oars. Sunil Panachira is the captain while Shivan Kochukulangara will control the stern. Ajish Mavileshi and Idithalam Balan are main paddlers. With four chundan vellums from the district in fray, the snake boat race enthusiasts of the district are hopeful that at least one chundan vellam from the district will win the Nehru Trophy boat race this year. So, what are you waiting for? Head out to Kumarakom, try your luck