Madikeri:
The Kodava Family Hockey Festival is celebrating its landmark 25th anniversary this year from March 28 to April 27. To mark the occasion, the official logo for the “Muddanda Cup Hockey Tournament 2025” was unveiled on Saturday last at the Kaveri Auditorium here. This year, the Muddanda family is hosting the tournament at the Madikeri Sports Ground.
The logo unveiling ceremony organised by Muddanda family witnessed the participation of several dignitaries, including Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar.
Inaugurating the event by lighting the lamp, Yaduveer lauded Kodagu’s unique culture and traditions, particularly its deep-rooted passion for hockey. He emphasised the significance of preserving Kodava heritage through events like the hockey festival and expressed pride in representing the Mysuru region, which encompasses Kodagu.
Pledging his support for hockey, Yaduveer Wadiyar underscored the sport’s integral role in Kodagu’s identity.
Virajpet MLA Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna reminisced about the previous year’s Kundyolanda Cup Hockey Festival, which set a Guinness World Record for the largest family participation in a sporting event.
Despite being a small community, he highlighted the Kodava community’s remarkable ability to showcase its rich culture and sporting spirit. Additionally, Rajya Sabha MP Ajay Maken, who previously raised the festival’s prominence in Parliament, proposed establishing a hockey training centre in Kodagu, leveraging the region’s favourable elevation. Ponnanna said a survey is currently underway at Ammathi for this initiative.
Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda called for collective efforts to ensure the success of the silver jubilee edition and assured his support for the event.
Former MLA and Speaker K.G. Bopaiah fondly recalled the festival’s inception by Pandanda Kuttappa, popularly known as Kuttani, a retired State Bank of India official and a hockey enthusiast, in 1997.
He mentioned the Rs. 5 lakh grant provided in 2008 under the then Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and the subsequent Rs. 1 crore grant given to the Appachettolanda family. Given the festival’s silver jubilee, he urged the government to allocate a Rs. 2 crore grant this year.
Former MLC Shantheyanda Veena Achaiah, prominent figures from the Muddanda family, including family Pattedara (head) Dali Thimmaiah, Organising Committee Hon. President Muddanda B. Devaiah, Kodava Hockey Academy President Pandanda Bopanna, Muddanda Ponnappa and others were present.
Hockey Festival Secretary Muddanda Adya Thammaiah announced plans for a traditional fashion show showcasing India’s diverse culture during the semi-finals and finals. The event will also feature musical performances by renowned singers to captivate the spectators.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports> News / January 13th, 2025
