Hundreds of boat race enthusiasts accorded a rousing reception to the oarsmen of the Kumarakom Town Boat Club when the victorious team arrived here late on Saturday night after lifting the coveted Nehru Trophy at Alappuzha.
It was not only a dream come true for the villagers, but also a sweet revenge against those who had taken away the prized trophy from them. In fact, they were so keen to bring the trophy back to the village that they were betting on the two teams from the village, the Kumarakom Town Boat Club on Jawahar Thayankari and Kumarakom Boat Club on Pattara Chundan.
But at the race, it was a direct contest between Jawahar Thayankari and Payippad Chundan with oarsmen from UBC Kainakari. The villagers after learning the news of the victory of their team came out in hundreds and thronged the sides of the Chanthathode, right from the lake side to the Vadakkukara temple premises, lighting lamps to receive the victors. Finally the 110 member team, led by team captain Monapan Charvacheril, arrived by late night.
The oarsmen from Kumarakom had the history of taking the trophy home in 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Last two years, they had lost the title though they had experimented with different chundans.
The more professional training of the team from Kollam had cast a shadow over the prospects of the teams from Kumarakom. However, this year they were committed to bring the trophy home. Though they had only 15 days' training against the usual one month, the excellent team work and professional selection of oarsmen paid off.
