Champakkara boat race held

KOCHI: The Pullinkunnu boat emerged winners in the Chundan boat category at the Champakkara boat race, held here on Saturday.The boat race has been taking place at Champakkara town in Ernakulam for the last six years.At least 11 boats, including three Chundan boats, took part in the race.Thaaniyan Vallam finished first in the A grade category while Hanuman number two bagged first prize in the B grade category.Excise and Ports Minister K Babu, who inaugurated the function said, “Though Kerala enjoys the top most position in the boat race arena, the government has not extended much of its support in developing the race.But hopefully, the government will provide the required support in the near future,” he said.Actor Bala was the chief guest at the function.A unique feature of Champakkara boat race is that it provides a spectator-friendly view as there is only a distance of 30 to 40 meters, between two sides of the backwater.The commentator of the programme was T Unnikrishnan