Alappuzha: The 70th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race might create history by adding a new category of race for the dragon boats. It was the Niranam snake boat samiti led by Changanassery native Manalel Ummen Varghese, a former Indian Air Force officer and owner of the international brand ‘Kargil Kitchen’, that sought permission to conduct a dragon boat race alongside this year's event. The committee has asked for clearance to row dragon boats in the Punnamada Lake during the boat race. Meanwhile, the request is currently under consideration by the Nehru Trophy Boat Race Society.
If permission is granted, colourful dragon boats too would be part of the annual regatta. The watercrafts shaped like the Chinese dragon would join the fleet of regal snake boats, iruttukuthi and veppuvallam on the race tracks in the Punnamada Lake. Ummen Varghese said that two dragon boats brought from China would be used here. He deserves the credit for bringing the boats to Kerala and handing them over to the Niranam Boat Club.
Manalel Ummen Varghese aims to inspire and train the youth in Kuttanad to take part in the dragon boat race, which is a popular international water sports event. He has even opened Niranam Sports Academy to provide training in dragon boat race. 15 rowers aged between 13 and 18 are currently training here. Meanwhile, the academy hopes to take part in the national games that will be held next year.
Thrilling dragon boat race
Dragon boat is a long and narrow watercraft shaped and decorated like the iconic Chinese dragon. Dragon boat races are conducted annually as part of the dragon festival in China. Both sides of the boat are raised above the water level and up to ten oarsmen can sit on the sides to row the boat. There will be a steersman on the backside to control the boat. Besides, a drummer faces the oarsmen, creating rhythmic beats on his drum to match the movement of the oars. Dragon Boat Race is now a competitive event in many international sports meets like the Asian Games. Oars made of carbon fibre are used for competition events.
Online ticket sale begins
Minister P Prasad inaugurated the online ticket sale of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. Online ticket sale is facilitated jointly by the South Indian Bank and the Bank of Baroda. The link for purchasing tickets is available on Nehru Trophy Boat Race Society’s website District collector Alex Varghese, ADM Vinod Raj, sub-collector Sameer Kishen, Bank of Baroda representatives Beena Thomas and Emil Jose and South Indian Bank representatives A Lakshmi and CL Preejo spoke at the event.