Men jealous of woman power at boat race

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsWith women taking part in the snakeboat category of the 60th edition of the historic Nehru Trophy Boat Race on Saturday, the male counterparts have termed the move as an ‘injustice to women’.The representatives of all the other three ‘chundan valloms’ participating in the ‘B grade’ have come out against the ‘odd women team’. The three teams have expressed their discontent before the Alappuzha RDO, the secretary of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race Society.Though RDO A Gopakumar has termed the ‘B grade’ event as a ‘demonstration’, the participants consider it as a real test of grit and determination. The Nadubhagom Chundan will be the first snake boat to have the participation of three women at the helm, along with 95 oarswomen and eight women rhythmists of the Kumarakom Vanitha Boat Club (KVBC).St George rowed by SH Boat Club(SHBC), Thottuvathala and Alappadan rowed by Narbona Boat Club(NBC) , Chembumpuram and Madhav Valsan Vadakke Attupuram rowed by Lourde Matha Boat club are the competitors of the Nadubhagom Chundan in the ‘B grade’ event.“We are not against the participation of women in the rowing of a snake boat. But it is improper to make men and women contest in the same race and the practice is unheard of. Hence we are raising our dissent”, said Lalichen, president of NBC. The opinion is echoed by the other teams too.“We have conveyed our dissent too, as it is against natural justice to pit the women against the men, as the physical capabilities of both the genders are different. We suggest that the event should be made separate,” said Fr George Kappaamoottil, captain of SHBC.However, the RDO has dismissed the complaints. “It is not a competition, only a demonstration,” he said.Meanwhile, the mood at Mutherimuttu near Kumarakom, where the members of KVBC have been practising, is that of pride and joy. “ We consider it as a moment of great pride and recognition to be able to contest with men. It does not matter whether we win or fail,” said oarswoman Valsala Thomas, cheerfully.“The arguments will be valid only if the men’s team wins,” said KVBC team captain Mathew Thomas while stepping into the boat for another trial for the big day at Punnamada on Saturday.first published:January 01, 1970, 05:30 ISTlast updated:January 01, 1970, 05:30 IST
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With women taking part in the snakeboat category of the 60th edition of the historic Nehru Trophy Boat Race on Saturday, the male counterparts have termed the move as an ‘injustice to women’.

The representatives of all the other three ‘chundan valloms’ participating in the ‘B grade’ have come out against the ‘odd women team’. The three teams have expressed their discontent before the Alappuzha RDO, the secretary of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race Society.

Though RDO A Gopakumar has termed the ‘B grade’ event as a ‘demonstration’, the participants consider it as a real test of grit and determination. The Nadubhagom Chundan will be the first snake boat to have the participation of three women at the helm, along with 95 oarswomen and eight women rhythmists of the Kumarakom Vanitha Boat Club (KVBC).

St George rowed by SH Boat Club(SHBC), Thottuvathala and Alappadan rowed by Narbona Boat Club(NBC) , Chembumpuram and Madhav Valsan Vadakke Attupuram rowed by Lourde Matha Boat club are the competitors of the Nadubhagom Chundan in the ‘B grade’ event.

“We are not against the participation of women in the rowing of a snake boat. But it is improper to make men and women contest in the same race and the practice is unheard of. Hence we are raising our dissent”, said Lalichen, president of NBC. The opinion is echoed by the other teams too.

“We have conveyed our dissent too, as it is against natural justice to pit the women against the men, as the physical capabilities of both the genders are different. We suggest that the event should be made separate,” said Fr George Kappaamoottil, captain of SHBC.

However, the RDO has dismissed the complaints. “It is not a competition, only a demonstration,” he said.

Meanwhile, the mood at Mutherimuttu near Kumarakom, where the members of KVBC have been practising, is that of pride and joy. “ We consider it as a moment of great pride and recognition to be able to contest with men. It does not matter whether we win or fail,” said oarswoman Valsala Thomas, cheerfully.

“The arguments will be valid only if the men’s team wins,” said KVBC team captain Mathew Thomas while stepping into the boat for another trial for the big day at Punnamada on Saturday.