New Indian Express: If It’s Kodagu, It Must Be Sports

By B.C.Dinesh

MADIKERI:Summer is when Kodagu plunges into a tournament frenzy as various family and community groups host their annual sports events.

These intimate groups take it upon themselves to conduct festive events in every nook and cranny of the district. Such a season is unique to India, and perhaps to the world.

It all started in 1997 when Pandanda Kuttappa launched Hockey Namme, a hockey tournament, for Kodava families. It then inspired Kodava Cricket Namme, now in its 17th edition. Kodagu Gowda, Amma Kodava, Muslim, Dalit, Mogera, Billava, and Bunt tournaments are entering their second year.

The Kodagu Heggade Samaja’s sports meet is into its 15th year. Launching this year is the Okkaliga Cup. The spate of tournaments shows the enthusiasm of various communities to come together for the cause of sports.

Also, near Bhagamandala, Gowda families are conducting a meet called Tavarura Koota, spread over three days and featuring many games.

Hockey Namme, the event hosted by the Shantheyanda family in Madikeri, drew 299 families, and is on the threshold of entering the Guinness Book of Records.

Shantheyanda Ravi Kushalappa, chairman of the tournament committee and former Kodagu Zilla Panchayat president, is confident the number will touch a record 300.

Veena Achaiah, working president of Hockey Namme, comes from the Mukkatira family, and is married into the Shantheyanda family. She is happy land developers and central ministers are taking part in the opening as well as closing ceremonies.

“This is a rare honour for a family festival,” she said. “And players from the Netherlands are training our children.” Chettengada Kavya, married to Sannuvanda, is happy to participate, and is not worried about winning or losing. “Love and affection from parents and recognition in the husband’s house mark Kodava families,” said Ravi Kushalappa.

The festival spans generations. For example, Bacharaniyanda Nanaiah (88) from B Shettigeri and Shashank Somaiah (8) played together for their family, according to Bacharaniyanda Anu Cariappa of Madikeri.

The Kedambadi family is hosting a cricket tournament for Gowda families. The Kuttana Gowda family’s 17th cricket tournament is scheduled at General Thimayya Grounds in Madikeri from April 23. As many as 180 teams are taking part in it.

The Kuttana family also conducts a blood donation camp and eye donation campaign as part of the tournament, according to Kudekal Santhosh, who takes care of the publicity. Doctors from the community make this possible. A bike stunt event thrills the youth and children.

The Muslim Cricket Cup tournament at Murnad began on April 20 and concluded four days later. This year, 92 teams took part, showing the desire of the community to unite, according to Khader, a member of its organising committee.

Okkaligara Raja, one of the organisers of the first ever Okkaligara Cup cricket tournament at Hathoor and Kaikeri, added that Okkaliga families do not have family names like the Kodavas, and teams play for their places.

A district-level kabbaddi tournament is hosted by the Deshpremi Yuvaka Sangha and the City Boys Sports Club in Madikeri.

Coaching classes for cricket, hockey, swimming, and basketball are thriving. Selection trials were held in Kodagu for the Football World Cup Under 17 recently, and 30 boys from across the district took part in it. The event was conducted by the Kodagu District Football Association.

Apart from family events, Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences in Virajpet hosts an inter-collegiate leather ball cricket tournament once in two years.

JCI Golden in Gonikoppa conducts a national-level Auto Cross every year at Begoor Kolly.

In fact, the Kodava Hockey Namme has caught the government’s attention and got a grant of `40 lakh, besides the `30 lakh it gets from the MP fund. The Namme costs more than `1 crore to host, according to Ravi Kushalappa.