Thiruvalla: The snake-boat Gabriel Chundan lifted the K C Mammen Mappillai Trophy at the 64th Uthradam Thirunal Pampa Water Festival held at Neerettupuram Pampa Water Stadium.
Gabriel Chundan was rowed by Amichakary Boat Club captained by Ranju Abraham Kallupurackkal and Sam Vengal. All the three snake-boats which took part in the final round crossed the finishing line together and the winner Gabriel Chundan was decided by photo finish.
The second place went to Naduvile Paramban Chundan rowed by NCDC, Kumarakom with Rajesh Attumalil as captain, while Devas Chundan of Police Boat Club captained by P R Sunil Kumar took the third prize.
In the losers’ final for snake-boats, Niranam Chundan with K G Abraham as captain emerged the winner.
Champions in other categories are:
‘Veppu A-grade’ – Shot Pulikkatra
‘Veppu B-grade’ – Abraham Moonnuthaikkal
‘Eruttukuthi A-category’ – Moonnuthaikkal
‘Eruttukuthi B-category’ – St Joseph. Twenty boats took part in these races.
The competitions were inaugurated by Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai. Pampa water festival committee president Victor T Thomas presided over the inaugural function, while Anto Antony MP took the salute at a mass drill. Sub-Collector Swetha Nagerkotti also spoke.
The valedictory function was inaugurated by Justice Bichu Kurien Thomas of the High Court, who also distributed prizes to the winners. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Commandant at the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) Sunit Sharma was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. Those who spoke included industrialist K G Abraham, Nedumbram panchayat president T Prasanna Kumari, Thalavady panchayat president Gayathri B Nair and Block panchayat member Ajith Pisharath, among others.
