: The Nehru Trophy Boat Race Society has decided to strictly implement the regulations of the race. The teams will be given more monetary aid, but the boats will have to comply with the regulations to bring in discipline.
The 64th Nehru trophy boat race being held this year will set a record in terms of the number of participating boats. Sixty-six boats, including 25 chundans, will take part this time.
NTBR Society chairperson and District Collector R. Girija said the society had decided to pay the maintenance grants to the boats in advance. But those boats that do not take part in the race after having registered for the event, would be debarred for the next three years.
The participating boats should undergo practice sessions for at least seven days. Bonus will be cut for teams that do not adhere to rules. Chundans should have a minimum of 75 oarsmen and a maximum of 95, apart from master oarsman and associates (nilakkar). The preliminary round of competition for the smaller category of boats will commence at 11 a.m. on the day. The selection of the winner will be done on the basis of time clocked by the competing teams. The teams that clock the best timings in the heats will contest in the finals.
Mascot named Kunjan
The mascot of the race, a cub elephant on a canoe, has been named ‘Kunjan.’ The name was selected from 112 entries received from students.
The winning entry was submitted by Abhi Vinod, a Class 8 student of S.N. Central School at Oachira.
