Champions Boat League: Azheekodan Achamthuruthi lifts trophy at Dharmadom
Chief Minister inaugurates the Malabar leg of CBL
Kannur / October 2, 2025
Kannur, Oct. 02: In an exciting contest set against an electrifying milieu, the serene waves of the Ancharakandi River were disrupted as Azheekodan Achamthuruthi boat club today emerged winners in the Malabar leg of the Champions Boat League fifth edition (CBL-5), organised by the Department of Tourism and modelled after the Indian Premier League (IPL), at Dharmadom near here.
The oarsmen of Azheekodan Achamthuruthi crossed the finishing line in 1:54.221 minutes by eclipsing Vayalkkara Vengattu boat club (1:54.611) in the nail-biting race that saw Palichon Achamthuruthi A Team (1:56.052) bagging the third prize.
Earlier, inaugurating the CBL’s Malabar leg, Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the government is implementing a range of innovative initiatives to boost Kerala’s tourism sector.
Shri Vijayan also gave away prizes to the winners on the occasion.
In his presidential address, Tourism Minister Shri PA Mohamed Riyas said boat races symbolise Kerala’s unity and fraternity, and the Department of Tourism is trying to extend CBL to other parts of the state every season.
Noting that CBL has already garnered global attention, Shri Riyas said it will attract more tourists to the Malabar region and thereby leverage its immense tourism potential.
Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker Shri AN Shamseer and Minister for Museums Shri Kadannappally Ramachandran were the chief guests on the occasion.
District Panchayat President Smt KK Ratnakumari; District Collector Shri Arun K Vijayan; CM’s Representative of the Constituency Shri P Balan; Block Panchayat President, Edakkadu, Smt PK Prameela; Block Panchayat President, Thalassery, Smt CP Anitha; Grama Panchayat President, Muzhuppilangadu, Smt T Sajitha; Grama Panchayat President, Dharmadom, Shri NK Ravi; Grama Panchayat President, Pinarayi, Shri KK Rajeevan; and Grama Panchayat President, Ancharakandi, Shri KP Lohithakashan were also present.
Kerala Tourism Director Smt Sikha Surendran welcomed the gathering, and Kerala Tourism Joint Director Shri D Gireesh Kumar proposed a vote of thanks.
The race saw 15 Churuli (spiral) boats competing over a 1-km course from the Mammakunnu bridge to the Muzhappilangad Kadavu of the Ancharakandi River. Each boat had 20 rowers. The format of the race consisted of five heats followed by three finals: First Losers, Losers, and Finals.
The overall prize money of the Dharmadom CBL boat race was Rs. 3 lakh. Each participating team was given Rs one lakh as a bonus. The winning team received Rs 1.5 lakh, while the runners-up were awarded Rs 1 lakh, and the third-prize-winning team received Rs 50,000.
The other teams that took part in the boat race were AKG Podothuruthi A Team, AKG Podothuruthi B Team, Red Star Karyankode, New Brothers Mayicha, Vayalkkara Mayicha, AKG Mayicha, Fighting Star Club Kuttivayal, Krishnapillai Kavumchira, Palichon Achamthuruthi B Team, EMS Muzhakkeel, Sugunan Master Memorial Arts & Sports Club Melur and Navodaya Mangalassery.
Water sports and leisure activities were held during the recess of the boat race.
The next CBL races in the Malabar region will be at Beypore (Kozhikode, October 12) and Cheruvathur (Kasaragod, October 19).
ENDS
