Kodava Hockey Academy President Pandanda Bopanna, speaking at the Muddanda Cup Finals said that the number of Kodava family teams is increasing each year and if this trend continues may be around 500 or more teams participating in future.
Bopanna appealed that just as the Kodavas have 3 major festivals, the Kodava hockey family tournament should also be treated as another major festival.
He said that a grant of Rs. 1 crore is not enough for conducting a tournament of this magnitude and he requested for more funding .
Bopanna said that as a matter of pride, for next 10 years, families have come forward with the commitments to organise and conduct the tournaments. It is highly commendable.
He also informed that, as per the wish of Pandanda Kuttappa, the academy will organise a separate Kodava Hockey Championship in September.
The winners and runners-up teams of the tournament held for last 25 years will participate in this championship, informed Pandanda Bopanna.
