71 boats to vie for glory in NTBR

As many as 71 boats, together with 21 chundan vallams (snakeboats), will take part in 9 classes within the 71st version of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) to be held on Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha on August 30.

Registration of boats for this yr’s race closed on Thursday. Besides snakeboat race, competitions shall be held beneath Churulan (three boats), Iruttu Kuthi ‘A’ (5 boats), Iruttu Kuthi ‘B’ (18 boats), Iruttu Kuthi ‘C’ (14 boats), Veppu ‘A’ (5 boats), Veppu ‘B’ (three boats), Thekkanodi Thara (one boat), and Thekkanodi Kettu (one boat) classes.

Snakeboats registered for the NTBR are Veeyapuram Chundan (Village Boat Club, Kainakary), Payippadan Chundan (Kumarakom Town Boat Club), Cheruthana Chundan (Thekkekara Boat Club), Alappadan Chundan (Velloor Boat Club, Mevelloor), Karichal Chundan (KCBC), Melpadam Chundan (Pallathuruthy Boat Club), St. George Chundan (Gagultha Boat Club), Karuvatta Chundan (B.B.M. Boat Club, Vaisyambhagom), Vellamkulangara Chundan (St. Joseph Boat Club, Kayalpuram),  Jawahar Thayankari Chundan (Friends Boat Club), Nadubhagam Chundan (Punnamada Boat Club), Thalavady Chundan (UBC, Kainakary), Champakulam Chundan (Changanassery Boat Club), Karuvatta Sree Vinayakan Chundan (Mankombu Boat Club), Naduvileparamban (Emmanuel Boat Club), Payippadan Chundan II (Payippadan Boat Club), Anari Chundan (Kainakary Town Boat Club), Ayaparambha Pandi Chundan (KCBC B Team), St. Pius X Chundan (St. Pius X Boat Club), Niranom Chundan (Niranom Boat Club), Ayaparambha Valiya Diwanji Chundan (Niranom Chundan Fans Association Boat Club).

Tracks and heats for all 9 classes had been finalised on Friday. There are six heats lined up within the snakeboat competitors. The high 4 boats, primarily based on timings recorded in heats, will qualify for the ultimate. Tracks and heats had been determined by means of a draw of tons. The captains’ clinic, attended by captains and main captains of the taking part boats, was additionally held on the day.

Meanwhile, the mascot of the 71st version of the NTBR, a drongo rowing a canoe, has been named ‘Kathu’. Earlier, the Nehru Trophy Boat Race Society (NTBRS), the organiser of the occasion, invited entries for naming the mascot. The NTBRS obtained 347 entries, of which 18 individuals prompt the title ‘Kathu’. Pathanamthitta native E.V. Krishnankutty Nair was declared the winner of the competition by means of a draw of tons. The winner will obtain a gold coin sponsored by Punnackkal Jewellery at Eramalloor.

The mascot was earlier designed by S. Anupama from Vattayal in Alappuzha.