Nehru Trophy top nine win Champions Boat League berths; three debutants in line-up
Nine top finishers in this year’s Nehru Trophy Boat Race have booked their berths in the sixth season of the Champions Boat League (CBL), setting the stage for yet another high-octane battle on the backwaters of Kerala. The top nine finishers in the Nehru Trophy are eligible to compete in the CBL.
Nine top finishers in this year’s Nehru Trophy Boat Race have booked their berths in the sixth season of the Champions Boat League (CBL), setting the stage for yet another high-octane battle on the backwaters of Kerala. The top nine finishers in the Nehru Trophy are eligible to compete in the CBL.
Nine top finishers in this year’s Nehru Trophy Boat Race have booked their berths in the sixth season of the Champions Boat League (CBL), setting the stage for yet another high-octane battle on the backwaters of Kerala. The top nine finishers in the Nehru Trophy are eligible to compete in the CBL.
Nine top finishers in this year’s Nehru Trophy Boat Race have booked their berths in the sixth season of the Champions Boat League (CBL), setting the stage for yet another high-octane battle on the backwaters of Kerala. The top nine finishers in the Nehru Trophy are eligible to compete in the CBL. As a result, all teams that reached the Nehru Trophy final and losers’ finals, along with the winner of the second losers’ final, have secured berths in the sixth season of the league. The nine snake boats completed the Nehru Trophy track on Punnamada Lake in times ranging from 4.23.328 minutes to 4.35.200 minutes.
The line-up, however, could change if any of the qualified boats are found to have violated Nehru Trophy rules. Complaints have already been received against some boat clubs over the number of guest rowers on board. If violations are established and a boat is disqualified, the next-ranked boat could get a berth in the CBL.
Three snake boats launched this season have also made the cut, adding another first to this year’s league. Aroma Chundan, Arppookara Chundan and Punyalan Niranam Chundan are set to make their CBL debut in the same season as their launch. Thalavady Chundan, which failed to qualify last year, has also secured a place in the league.
Naduvileparamban, Karichal, Payippadan and Champakulam snake boats, which competed in the CBL last year, have failed to make the cut this time. Modelled on the Indian Premier League, the CBL is a points-based league featuring snake boats in races held across different districts. The team that accumulates the most points over the season will be crowned overall champion.
Venues, dates
The venues and number of races for this year’s edition have not yet been announced. Tourism Minister P C Vishnunath, who attended the Nehru Trophy race a few days ago, said the CBL would begin in September.
Boats qualified for the 2026 CBL
Aroma Chundan — Aroma Boat Club
Nadubhagam Chundan — Punnamada Boat Club
Veeyapuram Chundan — UBC Kainakary FC
Melpadam Chundan — Pallathuruthy Boat Club
Niranam Chundan — Niranam Boat Club
Arppookara Chundan — Emmanuel Boat Club
Cheruthana Chundan — NCDC Boat Club
Punyalan Niranam Chundan — Kumarakom Town Boat Club
Thalavady Chundan — Kainakary Village Boat Club