13 Teams Compete; Olympian Bollanda Pramila Ayyappa Urges Parents to Encourage Children’s Sporting Aspirations
As part of the silver jubilee celebrations of Pandanda Kuttappa’s dream project, the Kodava Family Hockey Festival, the ‘Levista Kodava Hockey Champions Trophy Tournament’, organised by the Kodava Hockey Academy, was inaugurated at Murnadu. Thirteen teams that secured first and second places over the last 25 years of the tournament will compete for the trophy over five days.
The tournament, held at the Bachettira Lalu Muddaya Stadium in collaboration with Hockey Coorg, M. Badaga Sports Recreation Organisation and Moornadu Educational Institution, was inaugurated by Olympian Bollanda Pramila Ayyappa. Addressing the gathering, she urged parents not to impose their unfulfilled dreams on their children but instead to encourage and nurture their children’s individual interests and passion for sports.
She said many parents fail to understand their children’s interests and attempt to fulfil their own aspirations through them. Recalling her own journey, she stated that she became an Olympian due to the encouragement of her father, brother and husband. After initially abandoning sports when her Olympic dream was shattered, sustained encouragement at home and four years of dedicated effort helped her achieve her goal. She emphasized that Kodagu district has immense sporting talent and that parents must actively support it.
Pramila Ayyappa also lauded Pandanda Kuttappa, the visionary behind the Kodava Family Hockey Festival, for his unwavering passion for sports.
Former international basketball player and retired principal of F.M.K.M. Cariappa College, Mandepanda Pushpa Kuttanna, described Pandanda Kuttappa’s concept of developing hockey through familiesthe foundation of society -as unique and inspirational. She noted that such initiatives have led to the growth of sports events across Kodagu.
She highlighted that Kodagu is perhaps the only place in the world where seniors, juniors, women and children play hockey together. He praised the continuous innovation in the festival and called upon all organisations, including the Kodava Hockey Academy, to strengthen Pandanda Kuttappa’s vision.
Former international hockey player Kalimada M. Somayya stressed that sports and athletes cannot develop without encouragement and sponsorship. He urged collective efforts for the growth of hockey, noting that despite Kodagu’s small population, it has produced numerous sports achievers. He said senior players served as role models in his journey and emphasized that sports instil discipline in life.
SLN Group CEO Sahib Singh commended the scale of encouragement hockey receives in Kodagu and expressed hope for its continued growth. Presiding over the function, Kodava Hockey Academy President Pandanda K. Bopanna assured continued support for nurturing hockey talent and expressed satisfaction that Pandanda Kuttappa’s long-cherished dream had been realised.
Several dignitaries including Venkatachala Sathappan, Velayudham Mani, Cheppudira S. Poonachcha, Kundyoala Ada Ramesh Muddaiah, Kootanda Suresh Appiah, Bachinadanda Pradeep Poonachcha, Kulletira Arun Beba, Naikanda Deepak Changappa, SLN Group directors, hockey officials and representatives of various organisations were present.
At the inaugural ceremony, members of the technical committee and commentators associated with the inaugural Kodava Family Hockey Tournament held in 1997 were honoured. Organisers announced that patrons of the 25 Kodava families who have successfully organised the festival over the past 25 years will be honoured at the closing ceremony.
The 13 teams qualifying from the last 22 years will compete for the title. Group A includes Mandepanda, Pardanda and Konerira; Group B includes Cheppudira, Palanga and Anjaparavada; Group C includes Mukkatira (Bonda), Nellamakkada and Kulletira; and Group D includes Machamada, Kuppanda, Kootanda and Kalianda.
The group stage will follow a league format. The top four teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
The winning team will receive Rs 2 lakh, the runners-up Rs 1 lakh, semi-finalists Rs 50,000 each, and the remaining nine teams Rs 25,000 each. Individual awards will be presented for best forward, full-back, half-back and goalkeeper.
