Nikkin Thimmaiah, Ponanna, Kariappa and Nachappa
They are known for their valour and their hockey skills. Taking a step ahead in their commitment to the national sport of the country, seven Kodavas from the city have got together to form the Coorg’s Orange Club. This month the club is hosting its first 5-A-Side, Rink Hockey Tournament. Known for sending hockey champs to the national team, the Kodava community is on par with the Punjabis in training skilled players.
With this short format game, similar to the 20-20 cricket format, the organisers are hoping to get more youngsters involved. For the first tournament, 40 Kodava families and 40 sanghas have registered their teams. In an attempt to recreate the nostalgia of earlier times, the club wants to take hockey to every school, college and IT-company of the state. “We want every school child to carry a hockey stick like it was earlier in our childhood days. Hockey needs to get back its due credit,” says Kambeyanda Mohan, one of the organisers.
To kick-start a movement of sorts, the Orange Club thought it was ideal to begin with a new-format tournament. “We have come up with the 5-A-Side format, where only five players from each team can compete on field. The duration of each match will be 10 minutes and can stretch maximum up to 12.5 minutes and will be played on a smaller turf,” says Machetira Jenith Aiyappa, one of the organisers. While the preparations are in full-swing, national champions have been roped in to act as mentors for the juniors.
“We have set an example to many youngsters. But now it is our turn to motivate them and train them,” says Kariappa AD, junior nationals’ player. Though their enthusiasm and will power knows no bounds, a few think this format is also a challenge to show their skills. “The turf is smaller for this format and is totally different from other championships. We need a lot of stamina and endurance to show our skills,” says Nikkin Thimmaiah, another junior nationals player.
Men, women, kids and senior citizens have been encouraged to participate. Particularly girls are being encouraged to take up the sport. “Hockey has been a community sport for the Kodavas. But our idea is to make it a sport of all communities across the state. So for the first time, we have brought together six hockey legends to help us with the mentoring of participants and players who will join the club,” adds Jenith. Dr Mollera P Ganesh, BP Govinda, Paikera E Kalaiah, Maneyepanda M Sommaiah, Lt Col Baleyada K Subramani, Anjaparvanda B Subbaiah are the six senior-most players who will be mentoring the players.
source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Tabloid> Bengaluru / by Ayesha Tabassum / DC / July 04th, 2012
