Kerala - Kottayam   

Training for Nehru Trophy boat race begins in Kottayam

BRAWN POWER: Oarsmen from the Emirates Boat Club training on Illikalam Chundan at Cheepunkalnear Kumarakom.

KOTTAYAM: With the Nehru Trophy boat race less than a month away, training for the regatta has already commenced in Kottayam district. This time, five teams from the district will participate in the event to be held at the Punnamada race course in Alappuzha district vying for the coveted trophy.

The Kumarakom Boat Club, which has the glorious history of bringing the trophy to the district for the first time in 1971, in addition to two hat-trick victories, will compete in Pattara Chundan. They had held the trophy from 1971 to 73 and also from 1982 to 84.

The Thiruvarpu Boat Club will enter the fray rowing the Champakulam Chundan. The Kumarakom Town Boat Club, who had held the trophy consecutively from 2004 to 2007, has not decided upon their boat so far.

Two new boat clubs from the district—Emirates Boat Club and Vaikom Boat Club—will participate in the race this year. The Emirates Boat Club was formed recently with help from boat race enthusiasts and they have commenced their training on Illikalam Chundan at Cheepunkal.

The Vaikom Boat Club, another new entrant in the fray, will compete in Cheruthana Chundan.

Meanwhile, the training for oarsmen is becoming more professional. Last year, boat clubs from Kollam, may be for the first time, had arranged exclusive physical training for their oarsmen and made a mark by lifting the trophy. They had undergone physical training at the high latitude facilities in Idukki.

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