The ‘Muddanda Cup Hockey Festival-2025’, and the silver jubilee of the Kodava Family Hockey Tournament, was inaugurated at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College, Madikeri grounds recently.
Virajpet MLA and Chief Minister’s Legal Advisor, Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna and the Kodava Hockey Academy President Pandada Bopanna inaugurated the month-long hockey festival by passing a ‘silver ball’ with a ‘silver stick’. A record 396 teams are participating in the Muddanda Cup. In the previously held Kundyalanda Cup 2025, 360 teams had participated.
MLA A.S. Ponnanna, who inaugurated the ceremony by lighting the lamp on an attractive platform designed as a ‘Ain Mane’. He said that ‘Kodava Family Hockey Festival’, started in 1997 by Pandada Kuttappa, who was responsible for the establishment of the Kodava Hockey Academy, has now completed twenty-two years. This hockey festival is not limited to sports alone, and is a step being taken to preserve the unique culture and customs of Kodava’s.
He further added, Kodava Hockey Festival is an attempt to introduce the unique cultural heritage of Kodava to the world. The state government has provided a grant of Rs. 1 crore each for the organiser of the last two festival. A record number of Kodava families have been participating from the last two years. MLA further said, that this time too an appeal has been made to the Chief Minister for the grant. He clarified that assistance will definitely be provided.
The ‘Muddanda Hockey Festival’ Souvenir and the Kodava Hockey song composed by Biddanda Nanaiah were unveiled by the guest dignitaries on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion Mysore – Kodagu constituency MP Yaduveer Wodeyar said that organising such a big tournament for continuously is not an easy task. He wished that the hockey festival would continue to be held on a larger scale in the future, which was the desire of Pandada Kuttappa, the father of the hockey festival.
Madikeri constituency MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda speaking on the occasion said that the participation is more important. Winning or losing is the part of game. Participation allows community to unite and mingle in harmony.
MLC Suja Kushalappa said that the hockey festival has helped in preserving the Kodava customs and culture and in uniting the Kodava communities.
Kodagu Deputy commissioner Dr. Venkat Raja wished the tournament a grand success and said that in the entire world, family sports is being held only in Kodagu. He further said, that it is commendable that the Kodagu tradition, ideology and culture are being followed among the younger generation during the sports event.
Organisers of the Muddanda Cup Hockey Festival, for the first time carried the Torch called the ” Kreeda Jyoti ” which has been taken to the Ainmanes of the families that have conducted the hockey festival over the years, was received by Arjuna and Ekalavya Awardee, former Olympian Dr. Anjaparavanda Subbaiah, who received the torch.
