Tropical Titans win first race in Kochi, as Tourism Minister inaugurates CBL-3
Kochi / September 16, 2023
Kochi, Sept 16: Reigning champions Tropical Titans finished first in the opening race of the Champions Boat League (CBL) by out-rowing their tough opponents and marking a grand start to the third edition of the event at the coastal city today.
Coast Dominators came second, followed by Mighty Oars at the one-km race along the Marine Drive, with crowds cheering the three finalists of the inaugural snake-boat races of CBL-3 being organized by Kerala Tourism.
While Tropical Titans (Pallathuruthy Boat Club rowing the Veeyapuram snake-boat) timed 3:27.01 to reinforce their presence in this championship, the runners-up Coast Dominators (owned by UBC Kainakary Club, rowing Nadubhagom Chundan) clocked 3:41.10, ahead of Mighty Oars (NCDC Boat Club on Niranam Chudan: 3:42.17) at the IPL-model championship that was inaugurated by Tourism Minister Shri P.A. Mohamed Riyas in the afternoon.
Tropical Titans, who won the CBL title in both the previous editions (2019 and ’22) of the championship, gained a good lead halfway the final lap here, only to further increase it and win by a comfortable margin.
Finishing fourth was Ripple Breakers (Punnamada Boat Club on Karichal), followed by Backwater Warriors (Kumarakom Town Boat Club on Champakulam Chundan) and Thunder Oars (KBC & FBC on Payipadan Chundan) respectively. At the seventh place was Raging Rowers (Police Boat Club on Mahadevikadu Kattil Thekethil) and at the eighth was Pride Chasers (Vembanad Boat Club on Ayaparambu Pandi). Backwater Kings (Niranam Boat Club on St Pius Tenth) came last.
In the races between the smaller Iruttukuthy boats, Mayilpeeli came first in the B-grade and Thaniyan in the A-grade.
Earlier, Minister Shri Riyas, while flagging off the races online, highlighted the role of CBL races in boosting the state’s tourism. “This time we could expand the races to North Malabar,” he noted, referring to last weekend’s races between 13 churulan vallam at Anjarakandy river in Kannur district. “In the coming years, CBL will cover all the districts in Kerala.”
Industries Minister Shri P. Rajeeve, who chaired the ceremony, said CBL showed how the government differed from other states when it came to boosting tourism. “As authorities strive various ways to promote travel, CBL will energise the sector for the next three months,” he added, ahead of unveiling the 2023 championship trophy.
Others at the function included Kochi Mayor Shri M. Anilkumar, Shri Hibi Eden, MP, legislators Shri T.J. Vinod and Shri P.V. Srinijin and Ernakulam District Collector Shri N.S.K. Umesh, besides councilors of the corporation and representatives of various tourism organisations.
The rest of ten CBL-3 races in the following dates: September 23 at Kottapuram (Thrissur district), September 30 (Piravam, Ernakulam), October 7 (Thazhathangadi, Kottayam), October 14 (Pulinkunnu, Alappuzha), October 21 (Kainakary, Alappuzha), October 28 (Karuvtta, Alappuzha), November 18 (Kayamkulam, Alappuzha), November 25 (Kallada, Kollam), December 2 (Pandanad, near Chengannur in Alappuzha) and the final on December 9 (at Kollam, along with the President’s Trophy).
The inaugural CBL was held in 2019, beginning with the renowned Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
