Date:12/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/08/12/stories/2005081208010300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

`Boat races need to be marketed properly'

Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA: Boat races need to be marketed properly so as to attract sponsors as well as spectators.

This was stated by John I Nissy, a Malayali and chairman of Peak Telecom at a press conference here on Thursday.

The business potential of the boat races needed to be exploited to finance the rowing teams as well as to make it a sport of worldwide interest.

Mr. Nissy who built up a business empire of an estimated turnover of over Rs. 700 crores in Europe and North America said the multinational companies of Europe and U.S. would be more than willing to extend financial support to the boat races if they were made aware of its potential.

The races give an excellent opportunity to the companies to advertise their products, said Mr. Nissy.

Mr Nissy is sponsoring the Valiya Divanji snakeboat that would participate in the Nehru Trophy Boat Race-2005 which would be held on August 13.

The Boat Club Alappuzha is rowing in the Valiya Divanji boat. Mr. Nissy, a native of Mallappally in Pathanamthitta district said he was planning to extend support to snakeboats, which would participate in other boat races in the State also as he had a passion for boat races from his childhood.

Mr. Nissy who plans to invest in the hotel industry in the State said his aim was to build unique resorts in Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Munnar aimed at attracting high-end tourists from foreign countries.