Alappuzha: The political developments in Kashmir have affected the morale of a few youths from there who have been training hard to compete in the Nehru Trophy Boat Race to be held in Punnamada lake on Saturday.
Though their state has been split into two and they are facing an uncertain future, they are favourites to win the 67th edition of NTBR. They are nurtured by the Dal Lake in Srinagar and have proved their mettle in the National Dragon Boat Race Championships.
A team of 30 oarsmen has joined the NCDC Boat Club, Kaipuzhamuttu near Kumarakom, which will row in the Devas Chundan in the Nehru trophy race
Jeffy Philip, one of the main rowers, said that the Kashmiris were trying to contact their family members in that state.
The Kashmir team had participated in the race for the first time in 2017 and rowed in Karichal Chundan for the Town Boat Club, Kumarakom. This time they have been hired by the NCDC Boat Club.
The rich boat clubs have managed to get the maximum number of athletes from other states.
In 2017, the NTBR Society had put a 25 percent cap on migrant rowers.
