Napoklu: The 21st edition of Kodava family based hockey tournament for the prestigious Biddatanda Cup kicked off on April 17 at the General Thimmaiah Hockey Stadium in the morning. Dr. A B Subbaiah, former Olympian and Arjun awardee declared the month long Hockey Namme (fest) open by lighting the lamp, where more than 300 teams are taking part.
The annual hockey event has become a common feature in the small district known as “Southern Punjab” for sports where the competition turns to a fest. Every Kodava family has contributed in a way or the other towards the tournament’s success with the onus on Biddatanda family this time.
In the Kaliyanda Cup held at Napoklu last year, 281 teams had taken part to enter Limca Book of Records.The organisers hope to enter Guinness Book of Records this year with over 300 teams taking part in the tournament.
Around 60 teams took part in the first edition of the tournament in 1997. Pandanda Kuttappa, a resident of Krada village aimed at reviving Hockey in the district after noticing the exodus of youth to cities. His initiative has not only revived the sport but also helped the Kodava culture regain its lost glory to a great extent. The hockey fest gives an opportunity to Kodava families to improve family ties, provide a platform for the talented youth in the field of hockey, to inculcate discipline and get updated with the developments in international sporting techniques. In addition, the month long hockey fest gives an opportunity to youth aspiring to get married find life partners and help continue the age old tradition associated with the Kodava culture.
The tournament will be held at three different venues and the organisers have spent around Rs 16 Lakh this year towards the development and maintenance of venues. The total expenses are estimated to be around Rs 1.6 Crore with major contribution from Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha offering Rs 30 Lakh and MLC Veena Achaiah Rs 5 Lakh from their share of government grants. Other political bigwigs like MLAs K G Bopaiah and MLC Sunil Subramani have offered some financial support towards the hockey fest.
Hockey India, Hockey Karnataka and Hockey Kodagu have offered their full support for the tournament. Even the Umpires Association led by its President Katumaniyanda Umesh have taken the full responsibility of officiating the matches, said Hockey Namme Technical Committee Director B S Thammaiah.
Metal gallery for spectators is an added feature this time and the organisers have spent Rs 33.5 Lakh towards other infrastructure including floor mats, media wing, and sound and lighting systems. Around 30 waterproof sales outlets will be serving snacks, drinks and other essentials to the sportsmen and fans during the tournament, said Committee President in charge of Ground B B Belliappa.
The metal spectator gallery accommodating around 40,000 spectators is an added feature this year. Eight games will be held at each venue everyday with 24 of them in total and from knockout stage they will played in the main venue.
Speaking at the inaugural, former minister M C Nanaiah proposed a permanent gallery for spectators and rued over expenses incurred every year to set up makeshift galleries. He sought a government aid of Rs 50 Lakh for the fest from the sports ministry and said the birth of hockey in the district is reminiscent of Greek Olympics.
MLA K G Bopiah expressed happiness over the increase in the number of participating teams which has drawn the youth towards the sport and helped in the revival and growth of hockey.
Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha assured of more financial assistance to the hockey fest.
MLAs Sunil Subramani and Veena Achaiah wished success for the month long hockey fest.
Kodava Sahitya Academy President Biddatanda S Thammaiah in his inaugural remarks said that more than 306 teams were likely to take part in the tournament spanning 27 days.
ZP member Murali Karumbaiah, Napoklu GP President Ismail and player K Kalaiah were present on the occasion.
Pandanda Kuttappa scored the goal after the inaugural ceremony to declare the games open.
The Madras Engineering Group (MEG) band garnered all the attention during the opening ceremony. Troupe led by Nirmala Bopanna enthralled the audience with an excellent dance performance.
Ramesh Chengappa, Hockey Fest Committee President, delivered the welcome note.
