Uncertainty looms over Champions Boat League; clubs express concerns

EVEN 10 days after the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) held at Punnamada in Alappuzha, uncertainty still looms over this year's Champions Boat League.

- ABHILASH CHANDRAN @Kottayam

Confusion continues over the commencement of the CBL and the number of snake boats that will participate this year, placing boat clubs preparing for the competition in a difficult situation.

During the inauguration of the NTBR, Tourism Minister Muhammed Riyas indicated that the CBL would begin with a competition in Alappuzha. However, there has been no official confirmation from the tourism department.

Earlier, there were plans to start the CBL with the competition of small boats in North Kerala by the third week of September. In previous years, the snake boats that secured the top nine positions in the NTBR qualified for the CBL. This time, however, the organisers could announce only the winner of the Nehru Trophy, and the second to fourth places have not been announced due to a dispute.