UAE-based women to join Kerala boat race

The team comprising women of various nationalities living in the UAE will join the Alleppey Ladies Boat Club to take part in the snake boat race.

Dressed in traditional sarees and using paddles made of coconut tree bark, the team will participate in the 750-metre race along with members of Alleppey Ladies Boat club.

India Tourism, Jaisree Travels along with Mountain High, a Dubai-based organisation are organising the trip.

Headed by Julie Amer of Mountain High, the team will fly to Kerala on August 5, with ample time to practice with the local team as well as exploration of the surrounding areas before the racing event.

Addressing the media, Julie Amer said, “Taking part in last year’s race was fantastic. It was a privilege to join the local women. This will help the participating woman to get to know the people and culture,” she said.

“Many of the team members who participated last year have left UAE and we have a new team lined up for this year,” she added.

The team members are Ann Holliday (Australia), Lausie MacDonald and Ann Bazter (Britain), Sandi Saksena, Shambavi Rajagopal and Shereen Saifudhee (India) and Paula Mulligan (New Zealand).