Kodava Hockey Festival Marks 25 Years of Uniting Sport, Culture, and Community, to Feature Women’s Tournament

The Kodava Hockey Festival, which will be head from March 28 to April 27 Across Three Grounds in Madikery, Kodagu District, Celebrates Its 25th Year, Bringing togeing togent togetra Culture and Sport Converge.

It all began when the lat pandanda kuttappa, a former state bank of India employee and first-division hockey reference, in late 1997, envisioned uniting all kodava families throouging Hockey, Believing Perfect Sport to foster unity as kodavas was spores by spending across the country. Given that kodagu also knows as coorg is the cradle of Indian hockey, having produced over 50 national players, include seven olympians, he eniryed an annual hockey families Compete Against Each Other.

This Initiative Not only united the Community but also celebrated its rich hockey legacy, says pandanda k. Bopanna, President of the Kodava Hockey Academy and Son of Mr. Kuttappa, who is now carrying forward his father’s legacy.

Recalling the early days of the Hockey Festival, Mr. Bopanna shares that it began in the small village of karada in kodagu, with minimal infrastructure to host the event. In its inauguraral year, the response was lukewarm, with no more than 60 Families Participating. However, in the following years, the festival green an expert that it was earned a place in the limca books of records as the largest hockey tournament in the world. “Finally, in 2024, The Kodava Hockey Carnival, Organized by the Kundyolanda Family, Achieved A Guinness A Guinness World Record for the Larget Field Hockey Tournament, with 360 TEAMS REPRESSENTING KODAVA Families Taking Part, “Mr. Bopanna added.

The idea of ​​uniting the kodava communication through hockey is based on the concept of family hockey, Similar to the highland games played by variety clans in scotland. “ONELY Kodava Families (Clans) are allowed to participate, with no restrictions on gender or age. Who competed in the festival has gone on to represent Various Hockey Teams, ”He explained.

Women’s Tournament for Silver Jubilee

This year, the tournament has the mooddanda family serving as the hosts. A series of Special Events will take place before and during the tournament to mark the silver jubilee, include quiz contests, A Cycloth, A Cyclothon, and Rifle Shooting, According to Rashin Subbabaih, present of the Organising Committee.

“The festival torch, Simlar to the Olympic Torch, will be carried to the traditional ancestral houses, or ainmane, of family that have previously hosted the tournment. Tournament will also be introduced, with 30 teams expected to participate, ”Mr. Subbaih added.

More than a game, a Cultural Reunion

The hockey festival has evolved into an annual celebration in kodagu, resumbling a fair or Cultural Gathering. Over the past two decades, it has become more than just a tournament – a platform for community members to discus trade, Business Interests, Business Interests, and Eveen Explore Matrimonial Alliances, Ajjinikanda Mahesh Nachaih, President of the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy.

“It has become an evcase for familys to come togeether, resolve differentces, and strengthen their bonds. It also also provides an opportunity for kodavas living outside Reunite with Extended Family Members. Culture, “Mr. Nachaiah added.

Need for Government Support

However, despite the kodava communication organizing the globally renowned hockey festival, there is a need for government support. Although kodagu has been a powerhouse in sports, it lacques essential infrastructure, including a proper hockey ground and other Necessary Facility.

Mr. Bopanna emphasized that while the government has provided Financial Assistant for Organizing The Festival, More Support is required to Developed to Develop Permanent Infrastructure. “The hosting family bears a substantious experience in preparation at least three mud grounds in the district for the tournament. The Government should step in to establish Sustain and Elevate this prestigious event, ”He added.

Published – March 27, 2025 09:05 pm IST