Champions Boat League: CM to flag off the Malabar leg at Dharmadom on Oct.2

Kannur / September 29, 2025

Kannur, Sept.29: 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), will get under way in Ancharakandi river at Dharmadom near here on October 2.

Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the boat race, which will feature 15 Churuli (spiral) boats vying for honours. Tourism Minister Shri PA Mohamed Riyas will preside over the inaugural ceremony.

Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker Shri A N Shamseer and Minister for Museums Shri Kadannappally Ramachandran will also attend the function.  

The race will span the 1 km distance from Mammakunnu bridge to Muzhappilangad Kadavu of AncharakandiRiver. Each boat will have 20 rowers.The format of the boat race is five heats followed by three finals-- First Losers, Losers and Finals.

The CBL race will start at 2.30 pm and the prizes will be given away at 5 pm. The overall prize money of the Dharmadom CBL boat race is Rs. 3 lakhs. Each participating team will be given Rs. one lakh as bonus. The winning team will get Rs. 1.5 lakhs while the runners up will be awarded Rs. one lakh and the third prize winners will be given Rs. 50,000.

Noting that the CBL competitions in Malabar will boost the tourism activities in the region, Shri Riyas said. Kerala Tourism is striving to identify tourism possibilities in all seasons, he added. The Minister said with North Malabar immersing into the excitement of the boat race, it will be a visual feast for domestic and foreign tourists, who can also realise the cultural heritage of the region.

The teams are AKG Podothuruthi A Team, AKG Podothuruthi B Team, Red Star Karyakode, New Brothers Mayicha, Vayalkkara Mayicha, AKG Mayicha, VayalkkaraVengattu, VBC Kuttivayal (Fighting Star Club), KrishnapillaiKavumchira, PalichonAchamthuruthi A Team, PalichonAchamthuruthi B Team, AzheekodanAchamthuruthi, EMS Muzhakkeel, Dharmadom Team and Navodaya Mangalassery. Water sports and leisure activities will be conducted 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