The Kodava hockey festival, a customary inter-family field hockey tournament conducted in the Kodagu district of Karnataka, is poised to resume after a lull of four years. Each year, the festival is arranged by a distinctive Kodava family and is christened after them.
The Appachettolanda family will host the upcoming festival, which will be held in Napoklu, a petite town 21 km away from the district headquarters of Madikeri.
Preparations are Underway for the Forthcoming Festival
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Napoklu, a small town, is preparing to host the world’s largest field hockey tournament, with an expected attendance of 30,000 enthusiasts. Despite having just three mud grounds at its disposal, the town’s dedicated workers are gearing up to ensure the grounds are in optimal condition for the event.
To accommodate the vast number of spectators, temporary bleachers have been erected on all sides of the grounds. Additionally, multiple galleries, lighting, speakers, and display boards have been implemented to enhance the experience further.
Notably, all three grounds will be utilized for the tournament and serve as a backup option in inclement weather. The family in charge of organizing the tournament has allocated a budget of approximately ₹1.5 crores to ensure its success.
Age and Gender Limitations do not apply.
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The Kodava hockey festival is unique in that it has no age or gender restrictions, with the only requirement being that all team members come from the same family. This ensures that the event remains family-oriented, bringing together Kodava players from over 200 families to participate.
The festival boasts diverse participants, including young boys and girls, men, women, professionals, and former hockey players who have represented their state or country.
This inter-family hockey tournament is held annually and has become a significant sporting event and festival in the country. It provides a platform for Kodava community members to discuss trade and business interests and look for potential matrimonial alliances. Also, read more about Indian Men’s Hockey Team Pushed India To the List Of Most Medals In Hockey.
The Historical Account of the Festival
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In 1997, the late Pandanda Kuttappa conceptualized the Kodava family hockey tournament, which the Pandanda family initially organized.
The tournament was born from the belief that leveraging the love for hockey among the Kodava community could foster greater unity between families and the community. In its inaugural year, almost 60 teams participated in the tournament.
Is there any new introduction to the rules and regulations?
The tournament format mandated that one of the Kodava families would host the event yearly. This event has steadily increased participant numbers since its inception, with a high of 281 teams in 2003, making it the world’s largest hockey tournament.
The festival provides Kodava people outside the district with a chance to come back home and celebrate the sporting event as a festival.
The tournament has been held in various locations across the district without a permanent venue.
Interested families apply to the Kodava Hockey Academy, and after a thorough evaluation, the hosting rights are assigned. Also, know more about Hockey India Has Been Recognized As The Best Organizer For Their Successful Hosting Of FIH Men’s World Cup
Kodava Hockey Tournament: Date and Host
The 23rd edition of the festival will be organized by the Appachettolanda family with the support of the Kodava Hockey Academy. The estimated cost of the event amounts to Rs 1.5 crores, which has been generated through family contributions, a grant from the Karnataka Government, and various sponsorships.
More than 350 teams are set to participate in the festival this year.
The winning team will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs, while the runner-up will receive Rs 2 lakhs. Furthermore, the teams in third and fourth place will be given a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each.
Commencement and Monetary Rewards
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Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai himself inaugurates the event. The hockey tournament has been scheduled to take place from March 18th to April 9th, 2023. Anticipated attendance for the 23 days of play, celebration, and entertainment is expected to exceed 300,000 spectators and tourists.
It will be an epic battle for the top spot, so grab a front-row seat and witness history!
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