Kodava families are preparing to participate in next year’s Chenanda Cup Hockey Festival, with the aim of registering more than 450 family teams. The organizing committee has announced plans to celebrate the festival in a special way.
Providing details at a press conference, Chenanda Cup Hockey Festival Organizing Committee Secretary C.S. Madhu Devaiah said the 26th Chenanda Cup Hockey Festival will be held at Napoklu from April 5 to May 2, 2026. He mentioned that the Kundyolanda Family Hockey Festival held in 2024 was included in the Guinness Book of Records, while the Muddanda Cup Hockey Festival held this year was entered into the Book of World Records. The Chenanda Cup will continue the important programs of previous festivals and will aim to organize them on an even larger scale.
He added that more than 120 women’s teams are expected to participate in the women’s hockey tournament.
Since the Chenanda Cup will be held for a month from April 2026, the organizers have requested that no other major sports events be scheduled during this period to facilitate the participation of players and spectators. The Kodava Cricket Tournament is also expected to coincide with the festival, and discussions will be held with the organizers regarding this matter.
Hockey Festival Committee Treasurer Chenanda Shyamala Chengappa announced that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will unveil the logo of the Chenanda Cup Hockey Festival at the Krishna Auditorium in Bengaluru on November 2. Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna, Kodava Hockey Academy President Pandanda Bopanna, and other dignitaries will attend the program.
With the aim of identifying young hockey talent, a district-level hockey tournament for boys and girls will be held in January under the theme “Hockey from Primary School Onwards.” Children from all schools will be given an opportunity to participate. Selected students will receive advanced hockey training from skilled coaches at Napoklu in March, April, and May.
Chenanda Cup Hockey Festival Committee Chairman C.P. Karumbayya, Working President C.T. Chengappa, office bearer Babita Aiyappa, and Director Namrutha Aiyanna were present at the meeting.
