Madanda Cup-2013’, the 17th edition of the annual Kodava Hockey Festival, being organised by the Madanda family, got off to a colourful start at Balugodu near Virajpet in Kodagu on Sunday. The festival is meant exclusively for Kodava families.

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. As many as 225 Kodava family teams are participating in the 24-day hockey festival.

Earlier, guests and senior members of the Madanda family were brought in a procession from the main entrance of the centre to the grounds. Madanda family members unfurled the family flag while Mr. Kuttappa unfurled the flag of the Kodava Hockey Academy, under whose aegis the festival is being held. Olympian Anjaparavanda B. Subbaiah, who was conferred doctorate by the Mangalore University recently, was felicitated.

President of the Federation of Kodava Samaja, Mallengada N. Belliappa, the chief guest, and appealed to the members of the Kodava community to come up with contributions to help complete the Kodava Sports and Cultural Centre and make it a model for the entire State.

It was estimated to cost Rs. 12 crore. Works to the tune of Rs. 3.5 crore have already been taken up at the centre, which includes contributions from the State government, he said. Donors had contributed Rs. 1.2 crore, Mr. Belliappa said, recalling the help from political leaders in Kodagu for the purpose.

Mr. Kuttappa said the Kodava Hockey Festival was conceived by him and his brother 16 years ago to foster friendship and camaraderie among Kodava families. Besides, cementing relationships among families, the festivals had helped identify hockey talent at the State and the national level, Mr. Kuttappa said.

Jaggaranda M. Appachu, Joint Director, the Department of Youth Services and Sports, spoke. Madanda S. Poovaiah, welcomed.

Students of the Ninada School, artistes from the Cauvery Kodava Koota and Cauvery College, Virajpet, presented cultural shows. An exhibition match held between Punjab XI and Coorg XI ended in a 1-1 draw later.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysore, April 15th, 2013