By IANS,
Kollam (Kerala) : All is set for the first edition of the President’s Trophy Boat Race, to be held Tuesday on the palm-fringed, picturesque Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam in the presence of President Pratibha Patil.
The president is arriving Monday for the event, which will see 16 snake boats race over a 1,200 metre expanse for the trophy and prize money of Rs.100,000. The first runner up will take home Rs.75,000 and the second runner up will get Rs.50,000.
Located 70 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the boating venue has achieved the distinction of being the only regatta on the country in the president’s name.
The man behind this event is Christy Fernandes, secretary to president and a native of Kollam, known as the cashew paradise of the state because of the numerous cashew factories that have been existing here for several decades.
The lake has been decked up to receive the first citizen of the country and pavilions have been set up on all the five banks of the lake, among which four will be for general public and one for the rowers.
Patil will be staying at the seven-star hotel, The Raviz, that opened last week where 54 rooms have been booked for her entourage.
The home team Jesus Boat Club (JBC) on the ‘Devas’ Chundan, is the favourites after their victory at the renowned Nehru Boat Race held early this month at the Punnamada lake in Alapuzha.