‘Charanbeel lake’ of ‘Moprigan’ in Guwahati saw
an absolute dominance of Malayali athletes representing Kerala and other
states.
The Rowing and the Kayaking events held here proved to
be a get together for the ‘Kuttanadan’ (Alappuzha) athletes. There is
nothing to be surprised of this dominance. Who can beat the Kuttanadans
whose life and rowing are interlinked, whose spirit of unity and
sportsmanship is world famous through the Snake Boat races and whose only
passion other than tapioca and fish curry is boats and rowing?
The majority 25 members of the 27 members of the Kerala team including the
coaches are from Allapuzha district.
A member including the coach of the Andra Pradesh team
is from Alappuzha district of Kerala. The services team also has an
Alappuzha athlete (Shaji Kumar - former Asian Games Medalist) is also from
the ‘Venice of the south’.
Assam coach himself is a Malayali. Sumesh, an athlete
in the Delhi troop is also a Malayali.
Next :
‘Preeja sreedhar’ – the hope of the nation: