Mangaluru: This Kambala season is going to be great for the Kambala buffaloes as well as the riders as the District Kambala Samiti is planning to provide health insurance for buffalo riders and buffaloes taking part in Kambala.
The Kambala riders and the buffaloes, though not always, may suffer injuries during the course of the game. Keeping this in mind, the Samiti has decided to bring them in the insurance bracket.
The Kambala season begins in November and events are held from Thalapady in Dakshina Kannada to far flung places in Udupi. There are 140 Kambala riders or the jockeys who take part in as many as 80 Kambalas. The Samiti, this year intends to bring at least 80 riders in the insurance bracket.
The Samiti plans to introduce the scheme with the Koti-Chennaya Jodukare Kambalain Moodbidri on November 11, which marks the beginning of this season. The insurance company, the type of insurance and scheme details are yet to be finalised. However, the Samiti wants a comprehensive policy that covers ailments and not just injuries. The insurance for buffaloes will be taken up in the second phase.
Meanwhile, the Samiti is gearing up to launch the Kambala calendar for 2017-18.
