Anjaparavanda family team outdid the Palanganada family by two goals to lift the 17th Kodava Hockey Cup. The runners-up bagged a fourth consecutive win.
The match was spectacular as Anjaparavanda’s goal keeper was former Olympian and present Hockey India-Karnataka secretary A B Subbaiah, while the Palanganda team was represented by Amar Aiyyamma, an international player.
The winners received Rs 1 lakh and a trophy, while the runners-up received `75,000. Anjaparavanda team won for the second consecutive time after 2008. “We expected to win the finals this time too and we played well. We were confident as we won thrice in a row, but luck was not in our favour,” rued Palangada team captain Ajay Aiyyappa.
“It is up to the leader to plan and take the team ahead. We played well and it brought us the cup,” said Anjarapanvanda captain Sherry.
The 18th edition of the Kodava Family Hockey will be held in Balgodu, as the Thathanda family accepted the Kodava Hockey Academy’s Flag at the valedictory function from tournament president T Pratap, while other families received the flag from Kodava Hockey Academy chairman P Kuttappa. The finals were played in Kodava Heritage centre grounds Balugodu in Virajpet on Sunday.
‘Will Continue to Support Family Cup’
MLC M C Nanaiah urged the Kodava families to conduct the tournament in Balugodu since it is a heavy investment to conduct the tournament in different places every year. Kodagu has produced 62 international hockey players and will continue the tradition in the future too, he said.
MLA K G Bopaiah said that in the past five years, special grants were released for the Kodava Hockey festival through the BJP. “The new government will continue to provide grants on my recommendations,” he said and added that a proposal has been submitted to set up a synthetic turf ground in Balugodu.
P Dilip Cariappa and B Poonacha participated in the body building show, while the Coorg Sports Management team performed South African music and Kolata which enthralled the large gathering.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service – Madikeri / May 14th, 2013
