Fabulous Finale – Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009
Champakulam Chundan lifted the 57th Nehru Trophy Boat Race cup held on the Punnamada Lake in Alleppey, on August 8. The oarsmen led by Jiji Jacob Pollayil were from Jesus Boat Club in Kollam. It also won this year’s Champakkulam Moolam Boat Race under the JBC itself. The Payippad Chundan of Kainkari came close at second and and Sree Ganesh Chundan of Kumarakom came third.
This region of Alleppey is famous for its backwater rides, canoes and canals. In 1952, after Nehru’s visit to this picturesque land, he sent the state a signed silver trophy to conduct an annual boat race. The event has come forward a great deal after more than 50 years.
Devas of Vembanad Vanita Boat Club won in the women’s category. It had 10 international rowers, too. Other races were held for smaller crafts as well.
UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the function and addressed the gathering. At the meeting thereafter, it was decided to include snake boat races as a category in next year’s national games.
