Sports News

Though not a very popular game like cricket, more youngsters are getting drawn into the sport, says a baseball coach The Kerala State Sports & Games 2024 has witnessed an exciting and unexpected surge in public interest, with baseball emerging as one of the most curiosity-driven attractions of the tournament. Traditionally overshadowed by mainstream sports like football, cricket, and athletics, baseball has found a new wave of attention in 2024, drawing in spectators eager to experience a sport that blends strategy, speed, and skill in a refreshing way. What began as casual curiosity has now transformed into genuine enthusiasm. Families, students, and sports lovers are gathering around baseball fields to understand the rules, cheer for local teams, and enjoy the fast-paced rhythm of the game. The sight of powerful swings, sharp fielding, and tactical pitching has captivated audiences who are discovering baseball not just as a global sport, but as a growing competitive discipline within Kerala’s sporting ecosystem. The Kerala State Sports & Games 2024 has played a crucial role in this shift by providing a well-organized platform, improved infrastructure, and increased visibility for baseball. Clear commentary, engaging match schedules, and active participation from young athletes have helped bridge the gap between unfamiliarity and excitement. Schools and colleges supporting teams have also brought in student crowds, adding vibrant energy to the stands and creating a festival-like atmosphere around the matches. Social media buzz, word-of-mouth promotion, and live viewing experiences have further fueled interest, with many spectators expressing surprise at how thrilling and easy-to-follow the sport is once watched live. Coaches and sports officials note that this growing audience curiosity is a positive sign, as it encourages youth participation and strengthens Kerala’s reputation as a state that nurtures diverse sporting talents. Overall, baseball’s rising popularity at the Kerala State Sports & Games 2024 reflects a broader change in sports culture—where curiosity leads to appreciation, and appreciation leads to growth. The enthusiastic response from spectators signals a promising future for baseball in Kerala, turning what was once a niche sport into one of the tournament’s most talked-about highlights

Annual regatta to be held on August 30. As many as 75 boats, including 21 snakeboats, will participate under various categories in the Nehru Trophy Boat Race Alappuzha is all geared up for the 71st edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR). The annual regatta will be held on Punnamada Lake on Saturday The event will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at 2 p.m. As many as 75 boats, including 21 chundan vallams (snakeboats), will participate in the race under various categories. Besides the snakeboat race, competitions will be held in the churulan, iruttu kuthi ‘A’, iruttu kuthi ‘B’, iruttu kuthi ‘C’, veppu ‘A’, veppu ‘B’, thekkanodi thara, and thekkanodi kettu categories.  Modern starting and photo-finish systems will be used in the regatta. While boat race buffs are eagerly waiting for the snakeboat competition, the big question remains whether any club can halt the Pallathuruthy Boat Club’s (PBC) juggernaut. The PBC has won the title, rowing different snakeboats, in each of the last five NTBR editions. They lifted the trophy, named after the first Prime Minister of India, in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023, rowing Payippadan Chundan, Nadubhagom Chundan, Mahadevikadu Kattil Thekkethil Chundan, and Veeyapuram Chundan respectively. In 2024, they won the title with Karichal Chundan. This year, the PBC is rowing Melpadam Chundan. Other snakeboats and clubs competing in the race include Veeyapuram Chundan (Village Boat Club, Kainakary), Payippadan Chundan (Kumarakom Town Boat Club), Cheruthana Chundan (Thekkekara Boat Club), Alappadan Chundan (Velloor Boat Club, Mevelloor), Karichal Chundan (KCBC), St. George Chundan (Gagultha Boat Club), Karuvatta Chundan (B.B.M. Boat Club, Vaisyambhagom), Vellamkulangara Chundan (St. Joseph Boat Club, Kayalpuram),  Jawahar Thayankari Chundan (Friends Boat Club), Nadubhagam Chundan (Punnamada Boat Club), Thalavady Chundan (UBC, Kainakary), Champakulam Chundan (Changanassery Boat Club), Karuvatta Sree Vinayakan Chundan (Mankombu Boat Club), Naduvileparamban (Emmanuel Boat Club), Payippadan Chundan II (Payippadan Boat Club), Anari Chundan (Kainakary Town Boat Club), Ayaparambha Pandi Chundan (KCBC B Team), St. Pius X Chundan (St. Pius X Boat Club), Niranom Chundan (Niranom Boat Club) and Ayaparambha Valiya Diwanji Chundan (Niranom Chundan Fans Association Boat Club). Security beefed up Security has been beefed up in Alappuzha in view of the event. Around 1,500 police and traffic personnel will be deployed on the race day. District Collector Alex Varghese has declared a local holiday for all government offices and educational institutions in the district on Saturday in view of the NTBR. However, public examinations will be held as scheduled. Meanwhile, Minister for Local Self-Government M.B. Rajesh on Friday inaugurated the Nehru Trophy footover bridge, which was built by the Alappuzha municipality under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme. Mr. Rajesh said the bridge was constructed at a cost of ₹3.5 crore. The structure has a length of 59.8 metres. He added that a permanent pavilion will be constructed at Punnamada Finishing Point for the spectators of the NTBR next year. P.P. Chitharanjan, MLA, presided over the event.