After the Indian Premier League, the Nehru Trophy boat race, one of the famed annual events held in Alappuzha of Kerala, is slated to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this year. “The move is to build on the beautiful relationship between UAE and Kerala,” a statement from the organisers said.

The race, named after former Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, will be held on March 27, 2022 in partnership with International Marine Sports Club Ras Al Khaimah and TheBrew Media FZC LLC, at the Al Marjan Island.

The Nehru Trophy boat race is amongst the pioneer snake boat races in Kerala where millions gather to watch 100 feet long boats compete against one another. The name of the water race was coined following Nehru’s visit to Kerala in 1952. He was so enchanted by the sight of the majestic boats, that he leaped into one of the snake boats himself, ignoring his security cover.

Later on in the year, he donated a silver trophy in the shape of a snake boat as a gift for the memories of the time he spent there and since then the boat race has been named after him.

The organizers of the UAE Nehru Trophy boat race met with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is on a tour of the UAE, and informed him about the decision. 

Last year, the cash-rich IPL, the world's most popular T20 cricket league, was held across the UAE because of the pandemic in India. 

(SAM)