The maiden dragon boat race held on River Krishna on Monday witnessed an overwhelming response from all sections of people, and the contestants, including women, stole the hearts with their skills.
The Department of Tourism in association with the Swachh Nagayalanka and the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh took up the initiative to explore the potential for water sports and introduced the dragon boat race in Krishna district.
Former Supreme Court judge Justice J. Chalameswar flagged off the race at the Nagayalanka ghat on the last day of the three-day Diviseema boat festival here.
Winners
In the dragon boat race for women (1 km distance), seven teams each comprising 12 players were in the fray. S.V.L. College (Nagalakshmi team - Diviseema) emerged the champions. M.V.K. D.ed. College teams led by Sarojini and Kamala bagged the second and third places.
This was the first water sports event in which women players showcased their talent in the Diviseema area.
In men’s category of the dragon boat race, Nagavara Prasad and team of Viswanathapalli won the title while Narasimha Rao’s team from Edurumondi and Jaipal’s team (S.V.L. College) bagged the second and third places.
In the traditional boat race, O. Venkateswara Rao’s team of Nagayalanka emerged the winners. The teams led by Nagavara Prasad of Viswanathapalli and N. Subramanyam of Penumudi bagged the second and third places. Deputy Speaker Mandali Buddha Prasad and Tourism Department Executive Director Mr. Mallikarjuna Rao handed over the prize money to the winners of all the boat race events and lauded the spirit displayed by the local communities and the women players.
Book on Diviseema
Mr. Chalameswar accompanied by Mr. Buddha Prasad released a book, ‘Diviseema Sarvaswam’, written by amateur historian Mohammed Silar. The book features the glorious history of Diviseema island, exploring the social, cultural and political history of the island.
