ALAPPUZHA: In the first in the history of boat races in Kerala, a professional team, the Kerala Police, will venture into the regatta from the upcoming boat race season. The department has selected around 120 oarsmen from the force and the training has started in Alappuzha.
"The state government approved the suggestion put forwarded by State Police Chief Loknath Behera," said District Police Chief S Surendran. "The team will contest in Mahadevikad Kattilthekkethu chundan. The department has signed an agreement with the boat owners."
The department has its owns teams in volleyball, kabadi and many other sporting events, pointed out Surendran. But the huge number of oarsmen needed was a limitation to the formation of a team for the boat race.
"Now the Home Ministry has approved the suggestion and we selected the members of the team. The endurance training is nearing completion and the training on the boat will begin by June 15," Surendran said.
Oarsmen were selected based on their experience in rowing, with most of the oarsmen from Alappuzha, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam and other coastal districts, working in reserve camps and police stations. There are about 105 rowers on a boat and the remaining members will be kept as reserve. "'Amarkaar' and 'Nilakkar' will be selected from outside the department initially. We will participate in the first competition in the Moolam boat race to be held on June 28 at Chambakulam," the DPC said.
Gopalan Achari, retired deputy commandant and coordinator of the team, said the department took the decision to form a team after the state government decided to make structural changes in the pattern of boat races of Kerala. "The state government is planning to conduct the boat race in league pattern starting this year," he said.
Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac suggested the league format - like the hugely-popular IPL and ISL - connecting nine boat race competitions in the state. The first race will begin with the Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada in Alappuzha on the second Saturday of August. The remaining competitions will be held in Alappuzha, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.
The league format will spur up more spirit in competitions and bring more revenue. It could also increase the tourist flow to the state. To tap the opportunity, the Home Department was decided to organise a team in the boat race, said an official.