The second edition of Thok Namme 2026, organised by the Alemada Okka at the Karnataka Public School grounds in Ponnampet, concluded on a grand note.
Alemada Okka president A.N. Devaiah presided over the valedictory ceremony. Olympian hockey player Cheppudira S. Poonacha was the chief guest. Senior members of the Alemada Okka, Babbu Cariappa and Alemada Lalitha Srinivas, were present.
Addressing the gathering, chief guest Cheppudira S. Poonacha stressed the importance of familiarising young children with the firearms, an integral part of Kodava customs and heritage. He observed that the number of sportspersons from Kodagu representing the country at international levels had declined in recent years. He urged parents to take note of this trend and encourage their children to participate in sports.
The guests of honour included Bengaluru Kodava Samaja president Chiriyapanda Suresh Nanjappa, former Zilla Panchayat member Mookalera Kushalappa, and former Kodava Sahitya Academy president Pemmanda Ponnappa, who addressed the gathering.
Cheppudira Cariappa was felicitated in recognition of his outstanding contribution to sports over the past two decades. Through his insightful sports articles, engaging analyses and thrilling commentary, he has entertained sports enthusiasts while consistently encouraging young talent. The felicitation acknowledged his dedication, commitment and selfless service to the sporting fraternity.
Alemada Thok Namme Committee president A.T. Somanna, vice-president A.D. Sudheer, secretary A.T. Bopanna, Keerthan Thammaiah, Jagath Nachappa, Somanna, Vinu, Suthan, Vibin, Vithan, Bhavan, Sudheer, Bopanna, Prashanth and Prakhyath were among those present. Office-bearers and members of various committees of the Okka, women from the family households, sportspersons and a large number of members of the Kodava community also participated.
The committee also thanked the Kodava Marksmen Association for its support, noting that the advice and guidance provided by the association played an important role in the successful conduct of the competition.
Highlights from the Namme
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Onlookers and MLC Suja Kushalappa were ecstatic when MLA Ponnanna demonstrated his marksmanship by hitting the bull’s-eye with his very first shot.
Nine married couples also participated in a competition.
Another memorable moment was the felicitation of 94-year-old veteran markswoman Parvangada Rohini Bheemaiah by MLA A.S. Ponnanna.
The organising committee members undertook voluntary work to clean the school grounds over the two days, giving priority to cleanliness.
Final Results:
12-Bore and .22 Categories
- First Prize: Father-son duo Choundira Machaiah and Bheemaiah.
- Second Prize: Father-daughter duo Baduvanda Dhanu Devaiah and Trishali Thangamma.
- Third Prize: Chenanda Sachin Aiyappa and Bopanna.
- Fourth Prize: Chonira Sajan Uthappa and Somanna.
- Fifth Prize: Jammada (Kaikeri) Karan and Ponnappa.
- Sixth Prize: Appaderanda Bopanna and Rajneesh received the cash prize of ₹10,000, instituted in memory of late Cheeranda Kanda Subbaiah by his wife Roopa and son Aiyappa.
Special Awards
- Best-Maintained Traditional Firearm: Bayavanda Dhanu Devaiah.
- Senior Shooter: Buttiyanda Chimmi Poonacha.
- Senior Woman Shooter: Parvangada Rohini Bheemaiah.
- Emerging Shooter: Chottekalapanda Appanna.
Air Rifle Category
- First Prize: Baduvanda Shlok Subbaiah.
- Second Prize: Baduvanda Dhanu Devaiah.
- Third Prize: Cheppudira Darshan Belliappa.
Alemada Suthan Ayyappa, Muddi yada Manju Ganapathi, Alemada Charmana, Nellamakada Sharath Somanna, Ajjikuttira Ranji, Tadiyangada Kamba, Kottangada Bheemaiah and others encouraged the participants by presenting consolation prizes.
Rolling Trophy Handed Over to Mandira Okka
Mandira Okka will organise the 2027 edition of Thok Namme at General Thimayya Stadium in Napoklu. The Alemada Okka members accorded a grand welcome to representatives of the next host Okka with traditional honours and floral tributes. They wished the organisers success and formally handed over the rolling trophy.
As the competitions could not be completed within the stipulated time during the two-day event, the committee appealed for the duration of future editions to be extended so that participants would have sufficient time to take part in the competitions.
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