Members of the Marathi community enthusiastically participated in the second annual slush-field sports meet held at the agricultural field of Marathi Somappa in Second Monnangeri, amid the lush green hills of Kodagu.
Slush-field sports events are a common feature of the monsoon season in Kodagu district. The event was jointly organised by the District Marathi/Maratha Samaja Seva Sangha, its Women’s Forum, the Ambabhavani Youth Sports and Recreation Association, and various subcommittees. Sports enthusiasts showcased their talents in the muddy field, while the participants’ slips, falls and spirited performances provided plenty of entertainment for spectators. The light drizzle and cool weather further boosted the enthusiasm of the competitors.
A total of 14 events were conducted in the knee-deep muddy field. These included running, speed walking, running around a pole, pot-breaking, pair running, tug-of-war between teams of seven, pulling areca palm sheaths, backward running, the sack-of-salt race and filling containers with mud using cupped hands.
M.T. Devappa Kattemadu, organising secretary of the Madikeri Taluk unit of the District Marathi/Marathi Samaja Seva Sangha, inaugurated the sports meet.
District Sangha President M.M. Parameshwar said children and young people were increasingly becoming disconnected from the soil in today’s competitive world. Such slush-field sporting events help reconnect them with nature while also promoting physical and mental well-being, he said.
He stressed the need to preserve and promote traditional rural sports.
The programme was presided over by M.K. Santosh, president of the Ambabhavani Youth Sports and Recreation Association. Women’s Forum President Jalaja Naveen, District Sangha General Secretary A.M. Narasimha, Secretary Hoovamma and others were present.
The valedictory function was inaugurated by Marathi Somappa, a senior member of the community. Ramachandra Kembare, working president of the Karnataka Marathi Federation, Moodbidri, praised the organisation of the slush-field sports meet. He donated Rs1 lakh towards the construction of the Marathi community hall and urged the organisers to complete the work at the earliest. K. Sundar Naik, president of the Karnataka Marathi Federation, Bengaluru, expressed satisfaction with the activities of the association. He said efforts were being made to secure the release of the remaining government grant due for the construction of the building on the association’s site.
District Sangha President M.M. Parameshwar said rural sporting events strengthen community bonds while providing entertainment. He appealed to the government to extend financial assistance to such events.
District Sangha vice-presidents Devaki G.R. Naik and P.K. Gangadhara, Women’s Forum President Jalaja Naveen, Youth Association President M.K. Santosh, M.S. Venkatappa, C.H. Sridhar, K.J. Shashikanth, K.G. Honnappa, Niral Kumar and other office-bearers and prominent members of the association were present.
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