Madikeri: This time around, it is the turn of the Kallichanda family to host the 10th edition of the Kodava Hockey Festival at Ponnampet. Over 300 teams will vie with one another for three weeks.

The family will pull out all stops to ensure the success of the festival, says Kallichanda Cup coordinator, K.K. Nataraj. For the first time, the festival is set to attract over 300 teams.

The festival was first held in 1997. The best participation was seen in 2003, when 281 teams participated in the Kaliyanda Cup at Napoklu. The festival has entered the Limca Book of Records.

Four grounds are being readied for the Kallichanda Cup set to begin in the third week of April. Initially, this family hockey festival did not attract much attention from the Kodava families or players representing reputed teams. But of late, there has been fierce competition among the family teams.

National players

The hockey festivals organised from 1997 include Pandanda Cup held at Karada, Kodira Cup at Kadanga, Ballachanda Cup at Kakotparambu, Cheppudira Cup at Ponnampet, Nellamakkada Cup at Ammathi, Chekkera Cup at Hudikeri, Kaliyanda Cup at Napoklu, Maleyanda Cup at Madapur and Biddanda Cup held at Madikeri.

Those representing national and State teams and those playing for renowned hockey teams are participating in the festival. "We intend to not only promote the game and continue a family tradition, but also help the Government Junior College get proper infrastructure,'' says K.S. Kashi, chairman of Kallichanda Cup.

Gallery

The family has completed the construction of a playground adjacent to the existing one. The gallery too is being done up to accommodate more people. Funds are being secured from the Government, he said.

Mr. Nataraj said the Kodava Hockey Festival is similar to the Highland Games of Scotland, in which clans are engaged in an intense, yet friendly fight with one another.

The martial traditions are very much evident during the opening and closing ceremonies and the the "pass back" is done by a guest with a silver hockey stick. In the Kodava festival too, a silver hockey stick is used for signalling the inauguration of the event.

Traditional costumes

For the Kallichanda Cup, men and women from the family will be attired in traditional costumes during the opening and closing ceremonies, Mr. Nataraj said.

The family has plans to make arrangements for live telecast of the semi-final and the finals of the tournament for the first time, Mr. Nataraj said.

There will be nearly 50 stalls for hockey buffs and food stalls at the match venue.

Display

And also a display of the latest models of cars and motorcycles, auto accessories, handicrafts, household goods, garments, fashion products, agricultural equipment, and telecom accessories.

A parking lot is nearing completion near the college grounds, the main venue where the inaugural match and the finals will be held.

Kallichanda family is one of the largest families among Kodavas.

It has contributed over Rs. 10 lakhs for the festival so far. A substantial amount is being expected by way of sponsorship, Mr. Nataraj said.

Kodava families are keeping the hockey tradition alive in the district, which has the record of producing over 40 international players.

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