The clan of Kodavas in the Indian state of Karnataka have a long history of association with the game of field
hockey. The district of Kodagu which is the land of the Kodavas is considered as the cradle
of Indian hockey. More than 50 Kodavas have represented India in international hockey tournaments, out of
which 7 have also participated in Olympics. B P Govinda, M P Ganesh, M M Somaiya, C S Poonacha are
some of the prominent Kodavas who have represented India. The passion for hockey in Kodagu is so much that
more than 200 families participate in an annual hockey festival. This festival is recognised as one of the largest
field hockey tournaments in the world and has been referred to the Guinness Book of Records.However it has
already found a mention in the Limca Book of Records, which is an Indian variant of the Guinness Book.
Origin OF KODAVA HOCKEY FESTIVAL :
The Kodava hockey festival was started in the year 1997 and was the brainchild of 69 year old Pandanda
Kuttappa who was a first division hockey referee and an ex-employee of State Bank of India. He conceived the
idea of creating a platform in which the different Kodava families can get together. Realising the passion of
hockey in Kodagu, he decided that a hockey festival would be a good event to bring Kodavas together. He also
chose the hockey festival because he was disturbed about the growth of junior hockey players
from Kodagu.The finances required for the inaugural tournament were provided by Kuttappa ably supported by
his brother Pandanda Kashi Ponnappa. The response was very good and this tournament held at Karada and
called as Pandanda Cup attracted around 60 families. Some rules were framed which included that all the team
members must belong to the same family (surname) and participate in a full hockey attire. Even women could be
a part of the team and it was left to the woman to decide whether she wants to represent the father's family or
that of the husband's.
The founder of the festival, Pandanda Kuttappa (Kuttani) hit a silver hockey ball with a silver hockey
stick on the field to formally inaugurate the fest on the Kodava Sports and Cultural Centre grounds,
amidst applause by a large crowd.
Growth OF HOCKEY
After the inaugural tournament, an academy called as The Kodava Hockey Academy was started to oversee and
have the final say in all matters related to the future tournaments.Each subsequent tournament would be
organised annually by a different Kodava family and the name of the family was given as the name of the
tournament. The organising family was mainly responsible for arranging the finances and infrastructure needed
for
the festival. The cost was recovered from the sponsors and raffle tickets. Kodava families which participated in
the tournament also shared a part of the cost depending on their capacity and will. The response to the
tournament grew year by year and reached a maximum in the year 2003 in which 280 teams participated for
the Kaliyanda Cup at Napoklu. The maximum women participation was in the year 2000 when 30 women took
part in the Cheppudira Cup held at Ponnampet. The opening and closing ceremonies are held with pomp and
splendour and various dances and martial arts of Kodavas are demonstrated. The tournament is inaugurated by a
guest by doing a pass-back of the hockey ball using a silver hockey stick. Stalls setup around the venue do
brisk
business because of the large crowds that come to view the matches.
The 14th edition of the Kodava hockey tournament is being held by the Maneyapanda family [4] in Ponnampet
from April 18 to May 9. The tournament was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Sports and Youth affairs Dr M
S Gill.[4] Dr. Gill said here on Sunday that the Government of India would do its bit to raise the sagging fortunes
of Indian hockey.
Calling Maneyapanda Kodava Hockey Festival as a “special national occasion”, Mr. Gill said he had spoken to
president of the International Hockey Federation Leandro Negre that India and other hockey-playing nations in
Asia should have a fair share in all matters relating to international hockey, such as management and umpiring.
At the same time, he said, India needed experts in all aspects of the game.
An exhibition match was played between All Star Indian XI and Coorg XI in which the latter won 3-2. All Star
Indian XI was led by Dhanraj Pillay and Coorg XI was led by C.S. Poonacha.
The 15th edition of the tournament was held at Ponnampet and was hosted by Machamada[5] Family. A total of
228 teams participated in this edition with Palanganda family emerging as winners once again.
The 16th edition of the tournament was held at Ammathi (South Kodagu) and is hosted by Iychettira family. The
Iychettira Hockey Cup 2012 saw 217 teams and 3255 players participate in 23 days of action packed Hockey.
Over 2 lakh people came to watch the matches and experience the festival atmosphere at the Iychettira Hockey
Cup and Palanganda family was the winners again.
The 17th edition of the tournament was held at Balugodu near Virajpet hosted by Madanda family. An exhibition
match was played between Punjab XI and Coorg XI ended in a 1-1 draw later. Total of 225 teams participated in
Madanda Hockey Fest-2013 and Anjaparavanda grabbed the victory against Strong Palanganda family.
The 18th edition of the tournament will be hosted by Thathanda[6] family at Virajpet. Thathanda family holds the
credit of hosting 2nd edition of Kodava Cricket Cup in the year 2001.
Tournament
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