ALAPPUZHA: The Nehru Trophy boat race, initially set for August 10, has been postponed due to the devastating landslide in Wayanad that hit the state. The event is now rescheduled for September 7. Originally, there was consideration to hold the race without the usual celebrations. In a special meeting chaired by Collector Alex Varghese, it was suggested that all festivities, including the cultural procession, be canceled, with the race proceeding as planned. However, the possibility of postponing the event to a later date was also discussed. The final decision will be made after consulting with the government.
While the decision to postpone the race has been met with understanding, boat clubs have expressed concerns about the financial implications of the delay. At a recent sub-committee meeting, representatives from the boat clubs urged that the competition be held within August to avoid the additional costs associated with extended training and preparations. The clubs have already spent between Rs 30-40 lakhs on training, and an extension to September could increase costs by an additional Rs 25-30 lakhs per club.
The boat clubs, which began their training camps a month ago, highlighted the challenges they face if the race is delayed. The camps, which include rowers from outside the state, would need to be disbanded, leading to significant losses and difficulties in reassembling the teams. Kerala Boat Club Association General Secretary S.M. Iqbal suggested that clubs that have already initiated training camps should receive compensation if the event is postponed.
Despite the financial concerns, the boat clubs recognize the severity of the Wayanad landslide and have proposed holding the race without any celebrations. However, even with the decision to delay the race, the clubs remain committed to this proposal, emphasizing that the match should not go ahead while so many people are suffering due to the disaster. At the same time, they urge the authorities to consider the financial losses incurred due to the postponement.
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