With four boat clubs from the area in the fray for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race to be held just a day from now, the festive mood has reached a crescendo in Kumarakom. With physical training coming to an end, Friday will be a day for the oarsmen to unwind and take to spiritual pursuits to prepare their mind for the big day on Saturday.
Three boat clubs from Kumarakom and one from Thiruvarpu are vying for the top honours at Punnamada this time.
The Kumarakom Vembanad Boat Club, formed in 2013 is in the race this time with two consecutive Nehru trophies in their kitty already as they had lifted the trophy in 2015 on Jawahar Thayankari and again last year on Karichal Chundan. Their effort to register a hat-trick this time is being helmed by Jameskutty Jacob.
The Kumarakom Town Boat Club, one of the earliest ‘hat-trick teams,’ were the champions from 2005 to 2007. They lifted the coveted trophy for the last time in 2010. This time they are in the race on Karichal Chundan, last year’s winner and the boat which has lifted the trophy for a record 14 times. Anil Kalappura is the captain.
Rowers from the Kumarakom Navadhara Boat Club will be in the race on Karuvatta Chundan with Tony Philip as captain. Though they are new to the Nehru trophy, the team has already proved their mettle in the smaller races earlier.
The Thiruvarpu Boat Club has been an active participant in the Nehru trophy race for the past many years and has entered the finals. They had bagged the runner-up trophy once.
This time the team is participating in Cheruthana Puthen Chundan with John Kurian as captain.
Professionals
For the past few years, the race has changed its hues. Instead of rowers from the locality, professionals from elsewhere are competing in local chundans. This year, the Kumarakom Town Boat Club has roped in rowers from Jammu and Kashmir, members of the teams who have lifted trophies in the races in the State.
