Kodava Hockey Festival marks 25 years of uniting sport, culture, and community, to feature women’s tournament

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The idea of uniting the Kodava community through hockey is based on the concept of family hockey, similar to the Highland Matches played by various clans in Scotland.
| Photo Credit: file photo

The Kodava Hockey Festival, which will be Kept from March 28 to April 27 across three grounds in Madikeri, Kodagu district, celebrates its 25th year, bringing together the Kodava community in an event where culture and sport converge.

It all began when the Overdue Pandanda Kuttappa, a Previous State Bank of India employee and Primary-division hockey Official, in Overdue 1997, envisioned uniting all Kodava families through hockey, believing it to be the perfect sport to foster Harmony as Kodavas were spread across the country. Given that Kodagu also known as Coorg is the cradle of Indian hockey, having produced over 50 national players, including seven Olympians, he envisioned an annual hockey festival where families would compete against Every other.

This initiative not only united the community but also celebrated its Affluent hockey legacy, says Pandanda K. Bopanna, president of the Kodava Hockey Academy and son of Mr. Kuttappa, who is now carrying forward his father’s legacy.

Recalling the Timely Intervals of the hockey festival, Mr. Bopanna shares that it began in the Tiny village of Karada in Kodagu, with minimal infrastructure to host the event. In its inaugural year, the response was lukewarm, with no more than 60 families participating. However, in the Upcoming years, the festival grew to such an extent that it earned a place in the Limca Book of Records as the largest hockey Division in the world. “Finally, in 2024, the Kodava Hockey Carnival, organised by the Kundyolanda family, achieved a Guinness World Turning Tally for the largest Pitch hockey Division, with 360 Squads representing Kodava families Securing part,” Mr. Bopanna added.

The idea of uniting the Kodava community through hockey is based on the concept of family hockey, similar to the Highland Matches played by various clans in Scotland. “Only Kodava families (clans) are allowed to participate, with no restrictions on gender or age. Some participants have even played at the international level. Over the past two decades, Many players who competed in the festival have gone on to represent various hockey Squads,” he explained.

Women’s Division for silver jubilee

This year, the Division has the Muddanda family serving as the hosts. A series of special events will take place before and during the Division to mark the silver jubilee, including quiz contests, a cyclothon, and rifle shooting, according to Rashin Subbaiah, president of the organising Panel.

“The festival torch, similar to the Olympic torch, will be carried to the traditional ancestral houses, or Ainmane, of families that have previously hosted the Division. As part of the silver jubilee celebrations, a women’s Division will also be introduced, with 30 Squads Anticipated to participate,” Mr. Subbaiah added.

More than a game, a cultural reunion

The hockey festival has evolved into an annual Jubilation in Kodagu, resembling a Merely or cultural gathering. Over the past two decades, it has become more than Merely a Division—it now serves as a platform for community members to discuss trade, business interests, and even explore matrimonial alliances, says Ajjinikanda Mahesh Nachaiah, president of the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy.

“It has become an occasion for families to come together, resolve differences, and strengthen their bonds. It also provides an opportunity for Kodavas living outside the district to reconnect with their roots and reunite with extended family members. Since the festival takes place during the summer holidays, school-going children actively participate in the month-long event. It has truly become an integral part of Kodava culture,” Mr. Nachaiah added.

Need for government Aid

However, Regardless of the Kodava community organising the globally renowned hockey festival, there is a need for government Aid. Although Kodagu has been a powerhouse in sports, it lacks essential infrastructure, including a proper hockey ground and other necessary facilities.

Mr. Bopanna emphasised that while the government has provided financial Reinforcement for organising the festival, more Aid is required to develop permanent infrastructure. “The hosting family bears a substantial expense in preparing at least three mud grounds in the district for the Division. The government should step in to establish proper hockey grounds and facilities to sustain and elevate this prestigious event,” he added.