Kundyolanda Hockey Festival was inaugurated today at Napoklu. It started with a procession from Sri Rama Mandira in Napoklu to General Thimmaiah Ground. After the flag hoisting and receiving of the guests, a women’s hockey exhibition match between Sports Authority of India(SAI) Academy, Madikeri and Coorg XI was played. SAI Academy won 2 – 0. After a general welcome by the Kundyolanda family, Pandanda Bopanna praised the family for their exceptional efforts in bringing 360 family teams together for this tournament, the highest ever. He said his father would have been very proud considering that in the first edition it started only with 60 family teams. The highlight was the match between Indian Navy & the star studded Coorg XI team.
The Chief guest, Virajpet MLA A S Ponnanna said;
Kodava family hockey is an important part of Kodava tradition. Pandanda Kuttappa’s contribution to Kodava hockey tradition will never be forgotten. We should always maintain our love for the sport of hockey. Kundyolanda Hockey Festival will set a world record with 360 families. The veteran hockey players & the people of Kodagu should be thanked for their support & contribution towards making it a success, every year.
He also stated that he is striving to get 5 acres of land allocated for Hockey academy in Kodagu.
He said that he will do his best to encourage sports in Kodagu by offering support to establish stadiums at taluk and village level.
Very proud