ALAPPUZHA: The 52nd Karuvatta boat race to be held in the leading channel of the Thottappally spillway on Saturday will witness the staging of the third race of the Champions Boat League (CBL).
According to the organisers, 13 snakeboats, including nine CBL teams, will take part the race that will begin at 2 p.m. Small boats will also contest in the respective categories.
Tickets can be booked online through 'Book my Show' platform, besides outlets that facilitate spot purchase of tickets. The price ranges between Rs 200 and Rs 2,000. The Karuvatta race will be followed by that at Piravam in Ernakulam district on September 28.
Over 75,000 spectators are expected to witness the event. The races will be telecast live by Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 HD, Star Sports 1 Tamil, Asianet Worldwide, Asianet Plus, Hotstar, ETV Andhra Pradesh and ETV Telangana for an hour from 4 p.m.
The CBL, which began with the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, will conclude with the President's Trophy Boat Race in Kollam on November 23 after hosting at least 12 races across the state.
Tropical Titans (Pallathuruthy Boat Club, Alappuzha) is leading the table with 25 points with the conclusion of two races-- Nehru Trophy in Alappuzha and the Kottayam Boat Race. Pride Chasers (Vembanad Boat Club, Kumarakom) is in the second place with 15 points, and Mighty Oars (NCDC Boat Club, Kumarakom) third with 14 points.
The tourism department has set apart Rs 5.9 crore as prize money for the participants.
The first three winners will get Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh, and Rs1 lakh respectively. All participants are entitled to a bonus prize of Rs 4 lakh per match.
