Virajpet: The much awaited glorious Kodava family hockey tournament which has been held every year, this year christened the ‘Kuppanda cup-2015’ kicked off at the Junior College grounds here on Wednesday. The grounds were jam packed with hockey enthusiasts, participant families and general public, eagerly awaiting the action.
The onus of organizing the 19th Edition of the Kodava Hockey Family Namme, was handed over to the Kuppanda Family (Nangala) for the year 2015 at the conclusion of the 18th edition last year.
Inaugurating the tournament MP Pratap Simha said, “In 2008, MC Nanaiah and Appacchu Ranjan who took initiative to improve hockey in the Kodava land. They have also guided me and supported during the Lokasabha elections.”
He also said that there are a good number of players from Kodagu in the Indian hockey team who have brought laurels for the country. “Nithin Thimmaiah’s performance in Australia was termed as one of the best performance in recent years in matches abroad. We hope there will be more players representing country by next year,” he said.
More than 255 teams across the state are participating in the championship. The organizers also said that more than 8 Kodava players who have represented the country at the international level will be participating in the tournament. Pratap Simha, MP has donated Rs 20 lakhs, for the tournament, from his MP fund.
In the inaugural match MEG, Bengaluru defeated Kodava XI by 4-0 goals.
Former Indian hockey player and Coach Dr Mollera P Ganesh, MLA K G Boppaiah, former MLC Nanaiah, district BJP unit president Suja Kushalappa, district congress unit president Biddatanda T Pradeep and many others were present.
