Sahin Tendulkar to be Chief Guest in Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2018
Kerala’s backwaters and major rivers are all set for yet another season of traditional boat race – ‘vallam kali’. This year, the government is planning to commence a new concept in boat race – ‘Kerala Boat League’, following the pattern of IPL. “The first nine snake boats (chundan vallam), those display competence in the Nehru Trophy Boat Race will be participating in the KBL,”said the Finance Minister Dr. T M Thomas Issac. He was talking in the General Body Meeting prior to the 66th ‘Nehru Trophy Vallam Kali’.
The boat race season will start with Nehru Trophy and will conclude with Kollam President Trophy. “There will not be separate qualifying rounds for the competition. Whoever wishes to participate in the Nehru Trophy will be given chance,” added the minister.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar will be the chief guest for this 2018 edition of Nehru Trophy Boat Race to be held at Punnamada on August 11.
Those who come to witness the historical event will be provided with all the amenities as required. There will be option for booking tickets online. An application to book tickets will be introduced to make the booking process easy and convenient to those wish to participate in the event. The committee is planning to have photo finish to ensure flawless finishing.
Though there is no decision has been taken regarding the starting point, photo start may be considered to avoid disputes at the starting point. All the participants will be provided with guidelines to uphold discipline in the race track. A sub-committee will be assigned to formulate the guidelines.
The general body also decided to look for sponsorship for the event. “The state government has already sanctioned one crore rupees,” said Dr. Issac. The event will be conducted adhering to the green protocol of the state. Alalppuzha Municipality will be the governing authority. This year, the event will put forward a message of pollution free ‘vallam kali’.
N T B R Society Chairman District Collector S Shuhas, Municipal Chairman Thomas Joseph, N T B R Society Secretary Sub Collector V R Krishna Theja, Ex- MLAs C K Sadasivan and K K Shaju, various sub-committee members etc. participated in the General Body Meeting.