Uncertainty over, CBL race calendar finally out

Alappuzha: The clouds of uncertainty cast over this year's Champions Boat League (CBL), modelled on the Indian Premier League (IPL), have finally cleared even as a few concerns continue to linger.

After weeks of indecision, the Tourism department has announced the schedule for the third edition of the annual regatta, which will be held at 12 different venues across the state.

While the pulsating Nehru Trophy race held on August 12 in which the Pallathuruthy Boat Club (PCB) emerged victorious was the inaugural leg, there was uncertainty over the remaining rounds. Usually, the CBL starts a week after the conclusion of the Nehru Trophy Boat race.

“The Tourism department has tentatively finalized the schedule for the season. We’re awaiting final approval from the Chief Minister’s office,” a senior official said.

11 venues, 2.5 months
The revised race calendar stipulates these races to be staged in 11 venues across the state over a period of two-and-a-half months and will draw to a close with a grand finale at the President’s Trophy race on the Ashtamudi Lake at Kollam on December 2.

The events scheduled in the race calendar are; Marine Drive in Ernakulam on September 16, Kottappuram in Thrissur on September 23, Piravom in Ernakulam on September 30, Tazhthangadi in Kottayam on October 7, Pulinkunnu in Alappuzha on October 14, Kainakary in Alappuzha on October 21, Karuvatta in Alappuzha on October 28, Pandanadu, Changannur, in Alappuzha on November 11, Kayamkulam in Alappuzha on November 18, Kallada in Kollam on November 25 and the President’s Trophy in Kollam on December 2.

A trimmed affair
As in the previous editions, the 69th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) held on August 12 on the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha marked the opening leg of the event. The top nine teams and boats during the last edition of the NTBR have automatically qualified for the opening round this time.

The acute shortage of funds coupled with a delay in arranging the sponsors forced the authorities to introduce a break into the CBL schedule this year. Meanwhile, sources have confirmed that the CBL would be a trimmed affair, this time with a shortfall in the financial assistance from the state government.

“Over the dictions, the financial assistance from the state has come down from Rs 20 crore in the inaugural edition to Rs 15 crore and now to Rs 12 crore. Of this, Rs 3 crore has already been spent to pay up the dues incurred last year and with just Rs 9 crore at our disposal, we are left with no other options but to `trim down’ the event,” explained an official.

He, however, has also affirmed that the pruning of expenses will not have an impact on the spirit of the races, which will be a closely contested affair this time. “Unlike the previous years, this year no club is enjoying a monopoly. All the nine teams stand a chance to lift the coveted cup.”

The boat clubs, though, beg to differ as the delay in announcing the schedule has affected their practice with several of the expert rowers returning to their workplace. The resumption of practice sessions is also expected to put an additional cost burden on the teams, which incur up to one crore rupees for holding a practice camp of 45 days.

“Some of the teams had roped in professional rowers from outside for the season. The delay meant they wouldn’t be available for further races. The authorities may compensate them for this. However, we’re not affected as we have fielded mainly natives,” said Sony Antony, a member of the United Boat Club (UBC), Kainakary.

A tourist attraction
The CBL, which offers a chance to view the majestic snake boats of Kerala and its energetic rowers display their rowing skills and perfect coordination, has become a major tourist draw and has also strengthened the State’s legacy of snake-boat races that earned international fame with the NTBR. Though conceived as an annual event, the CBL had missed its 2020 and 2021 editions owing to the pandemic outbreak.

Tropical Titans, (Nadubhagom Chundan rowed by Pallathuruthy Boat Club) won the inaugural edition in 2019, and they retained the trophy three years later when they rowed Mahadevikad Kattil Thekkethil.