Kodava family hockey tournament this year being organised by the Kundyolanda family will be inaugurated on March 30 and will continue till April 28. The tournament will be held at the General Thimayya Stadium in Napoklu, and 360 teams have registered. Kodagu Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr Venkat Raja will be part of the inaugural exhibition match between Coorg II and the Indian Navy.
Kodava Hockey Academy President Pandanda K Bopanna said that the Kodava Hockey Utsava was started in 1997 by Pandanda Kuttanni and his brother Kashi. In the first hockey festival, 60 teams had taken part.
Tournament convener Kundyolanda Dinesh Cariappa said that Kodava Hockey Academy, Hockey Coorg, Hockey Karnataka and locals are supporting the tournament. The winners will get Rs 4 lakh, Rs 3 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively. MLA A S Ponnanna will inaugurate the tournament and noted writer Kumberanda Cauvery Ponnappa will be the chief guest.
Treasurer Kundyolanda Vishu Poovaiah said that the expenses will come to around Rs two crore and about Rs 30 lakh has been raised from Kundyolanda family. He said the state government had given Rs 1 crore last year and added that they were expecting the grant from the government.
President Ramesh Muddaiah said along with hockey, professional guidance for sports, marathons, food fest, health camp, the union of hockey players and training in Balopat will be held.
Kodava Hockey Academy was given a silver rolling trophy last year. The man of the festival player will get an e-scooter. The hockey player recommended by the academy will get a scholarship from RV University for studies in the university.
Hockey Academy Vice President Kukkera Jaya Chinnappa said that the 25th edition of Kodava hockey tournament will be hosted by Muddanda family in 2025. The tournament will be held at Field Marshal KM Cariappa College ground in Madikeri, he added.
