The mighty Veeyapuram Chundan, proudly rowed by the Village Boat Club (VBC, also known as the Pride Chasers) from Kainakary, snatched victory in a heart-stopping final. This marked the sensational opening race of the Champions Boat League season-5 (CBL-5), held this Friday on the picturesque Pampa river in Kuttanad.
Trailing closely behind was the Melpadom Chundan, propelled by the formidable Pallathuruthy Boat Club (PBC, the Tropical Titans), securing a commendable second place. The Niranom Chundan, expertly guided by the Niranom Boat Club (NBC, the Super Oars), powered its way to a well-deserved third. The VBC completed their winning sprint in an impressive 3 minutes, 33.34 seconds. The PBC followed closely at 3 minutes, 33.62 seconds, and the NBC clocked in at 3 minutes, 41.68 seconds.
Nine Teams Competed Fiercely
This exhilarating race saw nine dedicated teams battling it out. Only the top three, based on their fastest times in the preliminary heats, earned their spot in the grand finale.
Kerala’s Tourism Minister, P.A. Mohamed Riyas, officially launched the CBL-5 virtually, sharing an ambitious vision for its future. He expressed confidence that by its sixth season, the Champions Boat League would be a globally recognized spectacle, with the government actively working towards this goal. “To achieve this, we’ve introduced a dedicated microsite designed to promote CBL internationally,” Minister Riyas explained. “This platform offers extensive information about our traditional boat races and will soon facilitate direct tour bookings, inviting more international visitors to experience the thrill of the CBL firsthand.”
The Minister further elaborated on the government’s broader objective: to elevate and expand these magnificent boat races across the entire state. “This strategic expansion explains why, for the first time this season, CBL-5 events are also being hosted in Kerala’s northern districts,” he added, emphasizing the inclusive nature of this cultural initiative.