Nehru Trophy Boat Race results delayed amid rule violation complaints

The full results of the snakeboat competition in the recently held 71st Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) will be announced only after the Onam holidays.

The Jury of Appeal has received several complaints regarding rule violations and has withheld the declaration of the second, third, and fourth places in the snakeboat final race.  In the final, Veeyapuram Chundan (snakeboat), rowed by the Village Boat Club (VBC), Kainakary, surged to victory in a close finish clocking 4:21.084 and lifted the coveted title. 

Though Nadubhagam Chundan, rowed by the Punnamada Boat Club, finished second in 4:21.782, Melpadom Chundan of the Pallathuruthy Boat Club (PBC) came third with a timing of 4:21.933 and Niranom Chundan of the Niranom Boat Club finished fourth in 4:22.035, these results have not been officially declared yet, as they are pending with the Jury of Appeal.

Besides the snakeboat category, the results of the Veppu ‘A’ grade category are also pending with the Jury of Appeal. “As per the rules, the Jury of Appeal has 30 days to take a decision. The Jury of Appeal will convene a meeting after the Onam holidays and review the complaints received. Any decision will be announced after hearing both sides,” said an official of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race Society, the organiser of the event.

According to the complaints, some of the teams fielded more rowers from outside the State than the permissible limit. Allegations have also been made that some teams used oars made of plastic or non-traditional wood, violating the rule that mandates the use of palm wood.

Until last year, the Champions Boat League (CBL) line-up was selected from the top nine finishers of the NTBR. Any delay in announcing the full results will cast a shadow on the conduct of the upcoming CBL season.

It is not the first time complaints have been raised. The 2024 NTBR was marred by controversy. In the final of the 70th edition, Karichal Chundan, rowed by the Pallathuruthy Boat Club, edged out Veeyapuram Chundan of the VBC, Kainakary. According to official results, Karichal crossed the finish line in 4:29.785 minutes, just ahead of Veeyapuram, who clocked 4:29.790 minutes. Nadubhagom Chundan, rowed by the Kumarakom Town Boat Club (KTBC), finished third with a time of 4:30.13 minutes.

Following the race, both the VBC, Kainakary, and KTBC lodged complaints alleging irregularities. The VBC claimed that video footage clearly showed Veeyapuram crossing the finish line ahead of Karichal. The KTBC, on the other hand, alleged a flaw in the starting procedure that denied them a fair and equal start in the final.

The Jury of Appeal, after reviewing the video footage and timing data, rejected the complaints and upheld the original verdict, confirming Karichal as the winner. The VBC has since moved the Kerala High Court challenging the jury’s decision.