Kochi: The preparation for the first-of-its kind ‘Champions Boat League’ being conducted by the tourism department is progressing fast with the authorities set to auction franchisee rights for the IPL (Indian Premier League) model annual event on July 30.
“Since it’s our maiden attempt, interested agencies/ companies can bid for nine boat clubs which came on top in the last year’s prestigious Nehru Boat Race, Alappuzha. The clubs have to arrange for ‘Chundan’ boats besides forming the rowing teams. We have completed preliminary talks with the clubs in this regard,” said a senior tourism official in charge of the mega water event.
For instance, last year’s Nehru Trophy winner is ‘Payippadan Chundan’ of Palluruthy Boat Club, Alappuzha.
“Delhi-based consortium ‘E Factor Entertainment Pvt Ltd and AMP Communications Pvt Ltd’ will conduct the bidding process. They are also responsible for branding, promoting, marketing and revenue generation activities of the CBL. We’ll follow revenue-sharing mode for the event which is expected to cost Rs 40 crore ,” the official said.
Nine teams (franchisees) will compete in the event to be kick-started on August 10 with the ‘Nehru Trophy’ boat race at Punnanmada lake in Alappuzha and ends with ‘The President Trophy Boat Race’ in Kollam on November 1.
The boat races will be held every Saturday from August 10 to November 1 between 2.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. The venues will be Pulingunnu, Karuvatta, Kainakari, Kayamkulam (Alappuzha), Piravom, Marine Drive (Ernakul-am), Kottapuram (Thr-issur), Thazethangadi, Kavanattinkara (Kottay-am) and Kallada (Kollam).
“We’re planning to hold water sports activities such as fly-boards and speed boat rides at venues. Other highlightd will be cultural programmes in between two heats. We want the CBL to be a world-class tourism product capable of attracting thousands of touriss,” the official added.
