TTT NEWS NETWORK
KOLLAM | 23 SEPTEMBER 2026
Aroma Chundan, rowed by the Aroma Boat Club, Kollam, won the second league race of the sixth season of the Champions Boat League (CBL) organised by the Kerala Tourism Department, at Kallada on Wednesday.
It was the second consecutive victory for Aroma Chundan in the CBL season. Aroma Chundan overtook Niranam Chundan, rowed by the Niranam Boat Club, with an unbelievable surge after the latter had maintained the lead through most of the race. Aroma Chundan clocked 3:37.867, followed by Niranam Chundan at 3:38.273 and Veeyapuram Chundan, rowed by UBC Kainakary FC, at 3:39.849.
The three boats were involved in a close contest in the first half of the race. Veeyapuram Chundan took the early lead but fell behind after the halfway mark. Niranam Chundan moved ahead shortly before the halfway point and continued to lead even after crossing three-fourths of the race distance. However, Aroma Chundan made an unbelievable surge at this stage to overtake Niranam Chundan.
The surge became one of the best moments in the history of the CBL. Tourism and Culture Minister Shri P. C. Vishnunadh, who inaugurated the boat race, said the CBL races would be scheduled from next year in a manner that would enable the President’s Trophy boat race, the season finale, to be held on November 1. Kunnathur MLA Shri Ullas Kovur presided over the function, while Chathannoor MLA Shri B. B. Gopakumar flagged off the races. Shri Kodikunnil Suresh, MP, delivered the keynote address.
District Collector Smt. Anie Jula Thomas, Tourism Department officials, members of the CBL governing body and representatives of various local self-government institutions in the district attended the function. Aroma Chundan, rowed by Aroma Boat Club, Paravur, Kollam, finished first, followed by Niranam Chundan of Niranam Boat Club, Niranam, in second place and Veeyapuram Chundan of UBC Kainakary FC in third. Melppadam Chundan of Pallathuruthy Boat Club finished fourth, followed by Punyalan Niranam of Kumarakom Town Boat Club, Kumarakom, in fifth, Cheruthana Chundan of NBC Nattakom Boat Club in sixth, Arppookara Chundan of Emmanuel Boat Club, Kumarakom, in seventh, Nadubhagam Chundan of PBC Punnamada and NCFC Boat Club in eighth, and Thalavady Chundan of Village Boat Club in ninth.
As part of the Kallada Jalolsavam, held on the 28th day after Thiruvonam, competitions for smaller boats, including Iruttukuthi and Veppu, were also held. The remaining league races in the 11-race season will be held at Pandanad in Alappuzha on September 26, Kottappuram in Thrissur on October 4, Marine Drive in Ernakulam on October 10, Piravom on October 17, Thazhathangadi in Kottayam on October 24, Pulinkunnu in Alappuzha on October 31, Kainakary on November 7 and Kayamkulam on November 14. The sixth season of the CBL will conclude with the President’s Trophy boat race in Kollam on November 21.
At each race venue, the winners will receive Rs.5 lakh, while the second- and third-placed teams will receive Rs.3 lakh and Rs.1 lakh respectively. An additional Rs.4 lakh has been set aside as a bonus for each team. The club finishing first in the championship will receive Rs.25 lakh, while the second- and third-placed clubs will receive Rs.15 lakh and Rs.10 lakh respectively
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