Ashtamudi Lake all set for grand water regatta

Ashtamudi Lake is all set to witness a grand sporting spectacle as the 11th President’s Trophy Boat Race and the grand finale of Champions Boat League (CBL) will be held on January 10.

This time, nine snake boats (Chundan Vallams) and eight smaller boats will compete across various categories promising a high-stakes battle. In the current point standings, Veeyapuram Chundan holds the first position, followed by Melpadam Chundan in second and Niranam Chundan in third. The winners of the CBL will receive ₹25 lakh, while the second and third-place finishers will be awarded ₹15 lakh and ₹10 lakh respectively.

In the small boat category two Iruttukuthi A-grade, three Iruttukuthi B-Grade, and three Thekkanodi (women’s category) boats will participate in the races. For the Iruttukuthi A-Grade, the prize includes ₹75,000 as a bonus and ₹25,000 as prize money. For the Iruttukuthi B-Grade, there is a bonus of ₹50,000, with prize money of ₹20,000 for first place and ₹15,000 for second. The Thekkanodi women’s category offers a ₹60,000 bonus, plus ₹25,000 for first place and ₹20,000 for second. With three tracks ready for action, these smaller vessels are set to showcase incredible skill and endurance.

The event will start at 2 p.m. with the flag hoisting by Mayor A.K. Hafeez. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal will inaugurate the race, with Minister for Dairy Development and Animal Husbandry, J. Chinchurani, presiding over the function. Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar will be the chief guest, and N.K. Premachandran, MP will flag off the mass drill.

MPs Kodikunnil Suresh and K.C. Venugopal, along with MLAs M. Mukesh, M. Naushad, P.S. Supal, Sujith Vijayan Pillai, G.S. Jayalal, Kovoor Kunjumon, P.C. Vishnunath, and C.R. Mahesh will be in attendance. District panchayat president R. Lathadevi, District Collector N. Devidas, Additional District Magistrate G. Nirmal Kumar, and Deputy Mayor Udaya Sukumaran will also be present. Minister J. Chinchurani will distribute the prizes with Minister K.N. Balagopal presiding.

On the day of the race, a display of jet ski with flyboard has also been arranged for the spectators. To ensure a smooth and safe conduct of the boat race, a temporary ban will be imposed on all other boats on the stretch of Ashtamudi Lake from the DTPC Boat Jetty to the Thevalli Bridge. The restriction will be in effect from the morning until the conclusion of the event.