Nehru Trophy Boat Race: Kottayam teams open training camps

Kumarakam: The dancing waters of Punnamada Lake are all set to host the iconic Nehru Trophy Boat race, which will be held on August 30. Meanwhile, the rowers of various boat clubs have already started practising at their respective training camps. Kumarakam Town Boat Club, Kumarakam Emmanuel Boat Club and Changanassery Boat Club are the three boat clubs competing from Kottayam district.

Kumarakam Town Boat Club will be rowing the legendary Payippadan Puthen Chunden, while Emmanuel Boat Club will row Naduvileparamban Chunden (former Illikkalam). The Chambakkulam Chundan will have the rowers from the Changanassery Boat Club. Sunny Thomas Idimannickal is the skipper of Chambakkulam, while Jifi Naduvileparambil will lead Naduvileparamaban Chunden. Meanwhile, noted businessman and owner of Achayan’s Gold, Tony Varkichan, is the skipper of Payippadan Chunden.

Kitchens open at the camps
Various boat clubs have already opened their training camps ahead of the annual regatta. The rowers will stay in these camps until the boat race is over. Although fewer than 100 rowers are enough to row a typical snake boat, up to 125 rowers will train at the camps. Town Boat Club is camping at the parish hall of Vadakkumkara Church, while Changanassery Boat Club has opened their training camp at the parish hall of Kidangara St. Gregarious Church. Emmanuel Boat Club’s rowers are camping at the parish hall of Puthenpalli Church.

Kitchens where nutritious food is prepared for the rowers are the most critical spots at these camps. Breakfast typically consists of eggs, milk, appam, and Bengal gram curry, while lunch usually features fish and rice. Chapati and meat dishes are served for dinner at these camps. Besides, there will be a special menu for rowers who hail from Kashmir, Manipur and Uttarakhand. There are at least 20 rowers from other states in all the teams. It would cost at least Rs 9 – 12 lakh just for providing food for the next 18 days in a camp.

Expenses of Rs 80 lakh
The remuneration for the rowers alone for the next 18 days will cost up to Rs 15 – 20 lakh. Some clubs are willing to spend exorbitant amounts to bring the best rowers from other camps into their teams. It would cost at least Rs 60 – 80 lakh for a boat club, including the rent of the camp building, maintenance costs and expenses on the day of the race in a season.

Public can watch the training
Kumarakam-based boat clubs train at Mutherimada Lake and Tollayiram Lake areas, while Chambakualm Chunden practise at Kidangara Puthanaru Lake. The teams usually train after 8 am and at 3 pm every day.
Helping hand
Last year, Changanassery Boat Club donated the balance amount to the Cancer Care fund led by the Media Village. Director Fr. Jofy Puthuparambu said that this year, they plan to contribute the balance amount, if any, for building homes for the poor.