Kerala to showcase Champions Boat League at world tourism events
Minister Mohamed Riyas flags off CBL 4
Kottayam / November 16, 2024
Kottayam, Nov. 16: The fourth edition of the Champions Boat League (CBL-4), organised by Kerala Tourism, got underway today at Thazhathangadi along the Meenachil River in Kottayam.
Flagging off the snake-boat races in a league format, Tourism Minister Shri P A Mohamed Riyas said CBL will be prominently featured in next year's World Tourism Market by Kerala Tourism.
“From next year, we’ll take the CBL competitions, from Nehru Trophy to President's Trophy, to all coastal districts of Kerala,” he said.
“Though snake boat races are held in many places, they don’t come under the CBL. The races have boosted tourism activities in these areas in a big way,” the Minister said.
Shri Riyas said the possibility of including tourism operators from abroad in CBL will be explored to attract foreign holidaymakers.
Cooperation and Ports Minister VN Vasavan, who presided over the function, thanked the Tourism Minister for selecting Thazhathangadi as the inaugural venue of the CBL races. competitions. “With Thazhathangadi becoming a permanent venue of the CBL, it is going to be a great tourist attraction as well,” he said.
Shri Francis George MP, Shri Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan MLA, District Collector John V Samuel, Kerala Tourism Add. Director (General) P Vishnuraj, District Police Chief Shahul Hameed, three-tier panchayat and municipality members, representatives of various political parties and others were present.
Karichal (Pallathuruthy Boat Club), Veeyapuram (Village Boat Club Kainkari), Thalavadi (UBC Kainkari), Melpadam (Kumarakam Boat Club) Ayaparambu Valiadivanji (Changanassery Boat Club), Nadubhagham (Kumarakam Town Boat Club), Niranam (Niranam Boat Club), Payipad (Alappuzha Town Boat Club) and Champakkulam (Punnamada Boat Club) have qualified for the fourth edition of CBL.
This time, CBL will have six boat races. The next venues are Kainakari (November 23), Pandanad-Chengannur (November 30), Karuvatta (December 7) and Kayamkulam (December 14). The grand finale, Kollam President's Trophy, is on Dec. 21.
The teams finishing first, second, and third in the league matches will get Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh, and Rs 1 lakh, respectively. Based on the overall performance in the six races, the topper will be given Rs 25 lakh. The runner-up will get Rs 15 lakh, while the team finishing third will get Rs 10 lakh.
After each match, all the participating teams will receive Rs 3 lakh, and the snake boat owners will get Rs 1 lakh each as a bonus.
ENDS
