Category Archives: Sports

Corner Time with Kuttappa

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Boxing needs a bigger push in South India, says Indian men’s boxing head coach C.A. Kuttappa.

Hailing from Kokeri village in Napoklu, Kodagu, the land known for producing Olympians and brave hearts, Chenanda Achaiah Kuttappa (C.A. Kuttappa) is an internationally known boxing coach who has been credited with shaping some of the best Indian boxers, including Olympic medallist Vijender Singh, Suranjoy Singh, Shiva Thapa and Amit Panghal, among others..

An ex-serviceman, Kuttappa, who retired as a Subedar from the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) earlier this year, is currently the head coach of the Indian men’s boxing team that won two gold and two silver medals at the recently held Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Kuttappa training one of the boxers during the preparatory camp for Commonwealth Games-2026 which concluded recently.

A Dronacharya Awardee (2018), Kuttappa previously worked with the Indian men’s boxing team as head coach from 2018 to 2021, during which an Indian boxer won a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships.

Kuttappa (standing second from right) seen with the Indian men boxers at Glasgow, Scotland.

Kuttappa was also part of the Indian boxing support staff during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when Vijender Singh won a bronze medal. He was also the head coach during the Paris 2024 Olympics.

After a break of a year, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) re-appointed him as the head coach of the Indian men’s boxing team ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

Kuttappa flanked by his wife P.U. Ashwini (right)  and daughter C.K. Yudhi.

A resident of Gokulam 1st Stage in Mysuru city, Kuttappa is married to P.U. Ashwini and the couple has a daughter, C.K. Yudhi

Star of Mysore caught up with C.A. Kuttappa during his recent visit to Mysuru following the heroics of the Indian boxing team at the  Commonwealth Games 2026. Excerpts:

Star of Mysore (SOM): Sir, firstly, thank you for talking to Star of Mysore. The recent achievements in boxing at the Commonwealth Games-2026 have been spectacular compared to previous Games. What do you have to say about that?

C.A. Kuttappa: The achievements have been remarkable. We have been able to achieve success because of our hard work and the efforts of the coaches and supporting staff, including doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists, nutritionists and others.

SOM: How was the preparation for the Commonwealth Games? Winning seven gold medals in boxing is a great achievement.

Kuttappa: After the Nationals, we went for build-up competitions in Spain and the Czech Republic, where we won a lot of medals. Later, we got good opportunities to participate in other international boxing events in which our top boxers selected for the Commonwealth Games took part. We also keep track of the progress being made by lower-ranked boxers who are in the No. 2 and No. 3 positions.

They play a crucial role as backups in case the top-ranked players miss the main event due to injuries or other reasons. We have been able to achieve good results because of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), as they provided us with the much-needed exposure and opportunities to prove our potential, which we did at the Commonwealth Games.

SOM: Compared to previous years, the Government of India has been encouraging sports. How do you think it has helped sportspersons?

Kuttappa: Yes, we are getting a good budget for boxing as well. People always compare other sports with cricket. It is a different sport. They have done extremely well and we cannot be compared with them.

We also need to do well at the international level. If we want to be considered at the same level as cricket, we need to work hard, plan well and execute those plans to win more medals at the international level.

SOM: What was the feeling when the boxers you coached were winning gold medals at Glasgow?

Kuttappa: As a coach, it is a completely different feeling. We always plan before the bouts. Watching videos of the opponents and discussing their styles, attacks and movements are some of the things we do. It is important as it helps our boxers understand the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents.

There are times when we change our strategies and tactics during the bout. When our execution goes according to our plans, the results will be satisfactory, just like at the Commonwealth Games.

SOM: With the Commonwealth Games mission accomplished, the next target is the Asian Games. How are the preparations?

Kuttappa: Yes, we are now preparing for the Asian Games to be held in Japan from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4. Compared to the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games is a tougher competition. Countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, which are among the top-ranked boxing countries in the world, will be competing as well.

They are really good in terms of technique and tactics. The intensity of the bouts will be high and mentally demanding. Come what may, we are confident of doing well in the Asian Games, similar to what we achieved in the Commonwealth Games.

SOM: Talking about boxing, most of our boxers are either from North or Northeast India. Where is South India lacking?

Kuttappa: Most of our boxers are indeed from the North or Northeast. People there think of boxing as a sport, but here it is considered fighting. I always tell my boxers not to take the punch but to hit the punch. We need to educate parents and children about boxing as a sport in South India.

In the North or Northeast, the situation is entirely different. People take up boxing as a profession. There are boxers earning a good Rs. 15 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh every month. The State Governments have been extending all necessary help, with sponsors also coming forward to support top-ranked and high-performing boxers.

In the South, importance is given to very few sports and people insist on getting their children educated rather than allowing them to pursue sports as a profession.

SOM: Speaking about yourself, you come from Kodagu, which is famous for hockey and producing soldiers for the Indian Army. How did boxing happen to you?

Kuttappa: I started my boxing career in 1992. Before that, there was a selection process for only three sports disciplines: Swimming, volleyball and boxing. Since I was good at athletics and sports, I passed the physical fitness test and they asked me to choose between the three games. I asked them for some time and told them I would like to try all three sports before making a choice. I tried all three and finally selected boxing.

In fact, one of my father’s cousins, C.C. Machaiah, who is an Arjuna Awardee in boxing, had also told me about how boxing as a profession would be useful and help me financially.

In the first year, there were no results as I was still in the learning process. In the next two years, I won the sub-junior and junior titles for Karnataka and the junior national championship. After joining the Indian Army, I represented Karnataka in many national-level competitions and also won a bronze medal at the National Games held in 1997.

After I was injured and stopped boxing, I was thinking about what to do next when my senior officers advised me to continue with boxing. So, I completed my diploma in boxing and joined the national camp as a coach. I have trained Olympic medallist Vijender Singh, Akhil and other top boxers and continue to train boxers even today.

SOM: How does it feel to be awarded the prestigious Dronacharya Award at a young age?

Kuttappa: It is satisfying. I believe it is a result of hard work and sacrifice. You should ask my wife and my mother. They both know the amount of time I have dedicated to my profession.

I only get to spend one or two months at home. Most of the time, I am travelling with the team, preparing them for competitions. I have taken up the responsibility of the national team and it is my duty to ensure they do well and bring laurels to the country.

SOM: Sir, thank you so much for your time and all the best for the Asian Games and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Kuttappa: Thank you.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Columns> Special Interview / by S.N. Venkatnag Sobers / August 12th, 2026

Wing Commander M.D. Aiyanna feted

Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Samajas, Associations, Clubs (wef. Sept. 03rd, 2022)), Sports, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022)

Aiyanna is seen with his wife Tulsi, daughters Priya and Preethi, son-in-law Ranjan Nanaiah and the Sangha members.

Gokulam Kodava Sangha honoured its senior member and past President Wing Commander Mundumada D. Aiyanna (retd.) at its AGM held at Kodava Samaja premises in Vijayanagar recently in recognition of his service to the nation and his achievements in golf.
 

A notable veteran golfer, he has won multiple trophies and prizes in golf tournaments hosted in Mysuru, including the 39th Edition of the Air Force Golf Cup 2025-26 (Stableford Net Senior Golf tournament).

Aiyanna is seen with his wife Tulsi, daughters Priya and Preethi, son-in-law Ranjan Nanaiah and the Sangha members.

Annarkanda Prathima Thimmaiah compered.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Gallery> Photo News / August 19th, 2026

On Wheels of Dreams

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), World Opinion, , , , , , , , ,

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the inspiring journey of Kalpana Kuttappa, one of India’s top roller skaters, whose determination and resilience have made her a role model for young women nationwide.

From humble beginnings in Mysuru to representing India on the global stage, Kalpana’s story is a testament to the power of dreams, hard work and unwavering support from family.

Born in Madikeri, Kodagu district, Kalpana moved to Mysuru at a young age for her schooling. Today, she is pursuing her B.A. (Corporate Economics) graduation at Women’s Christian College in Chennai, balancing her academic pursuits with her passion for roller skating.

Her journey into the world of skating began at the age of four when her uncle gifted her a pair of roller skates. What started as a childhood hobby soon turned into a lifelong passion when her mother noticed a group of children practising at a rink and encouraged her to join skating classes.

Since then, Kalpana has never looked back. She has represented Karnataka and India in numerous national and international roller skating competitions, earning hundreds of medals along the way.

Her achievements include participating in the World Championship held in Italy in 2024 and attending an ice skating coaching camp in Bangkok in 2017. She also took part in the 13th National Ice Skating Championship in 2017.

She has probably not returned without a medal from the competitions she has taken part. This talented roller skater also represented India at the World Championship held in Italy from Aug. 25 to Sept. 5, 2024. Currently, she is preparing for the Asian Championship to be held in South Korea from July 19-30.

Kalpana’s journey, however, has not been without challenges. Coming from a middle class family, she has had to overcome financial constraints and a lack of institutional support. Her father, Mukkatira Subbaiah Ravi, works as a mechanic in Mysuru, while her mother, T.K. Swathi (Thathanda), is a manager at an auto spa company in Chennai.

Despite these hurdles, Kalpana’s family has been her pillar of strength, supporting her dreams every step of the way.

“The journey has been tough,” Kalpana says. “There is not much encouragement from the Karnataka Government, and roller skating is not yet recognised as an Olympic sport. Finding sponsors is also difficult, even after winning medals and accolades.”

Kalpana Kuttappa with her parents Mukkatira Subbaiah Ravi and T K Swathi.

Infrastructural challenges

Infrastructure remains a significant challenge for roller skaters in India. Mysuru, where Kalpana grew up, has only one skating rink for the entire city.

Seeking better opportunities, she moved to Tamil Nadu, where she found slightly more support from the State Government and a less politicised environment. “Hopefully, roller skating will be recognised as an Olympic sport in the future so that we get access to better infrastructure and facilities,” she says.

Kalpana’s dedication to her sport is unwavering. She trains for 8-9 skating sessions a week and spends time at the gym to build strength. Balancing her academics and training, she ensures she attends all her college classes before heading to practice in the evenings.

But Kalpana’s ambitions don’t stop at roller skating. She dreams of serving her country in another capacity — as an Officer in the Indian Army.

After her graduation, she plans to appear for the Combined Defence Examination (CDS) and get commissioned into the Indian Army. “It is always a pleasure to serve the country, whether as an athlete or an army officer. It’s a pride that everyone feels while serving the nation in different capacities,” she says.

Kalpana Kuttappa stands as a shining example of what women can achieve when they dare to dream and persevere against all odds. She inspires us to strive for greatness, not just on the rink, but in every arena of life.

Her story is a reminder that with determination, support and the right opportunities, women can break barriers and excel in any field they choose.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles> Top Stories / by S N Venkatnag Sobers / March 22nd, 2025

Mysuru shooter bags two gold medals at State Championship 

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Mysuru: 

Jammada Preeth Appaiah, a resident of Bannimantap and a member of the Mysuru Sports Shooting Academy (MSSA), won two gold medals at the 14th Karnataka State Shooting Competition and Championship 2026, organised by the Karnataka State Rifle Association (KSRA). 

The championship was held at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Bangalore University shooting ranges in Bengaluru from June 10 to 30.

Preeth struck gold in the .177 Open Sight 10M Air Rifle Senior Master Women (National Records), .177 Open Sight 10M Air Rifle Women (National Records) and .177 Open Sight 10m Air Rifle Master Women (National Records), further strengthening her credentials in the sport. She has been training under coach H.S. Vivek since taking up shooting in 2024. Her recent success adds to an impressive run this year.  

Earlier, she won two gold medals at the Nagraj Rao Jagdale Shooting Contest and Championship held at the KSRA range in Bengaluru. 

She is now preparing to compete in Air Pistol events to qualify for the South Zone competitions. Preeth is also the only Kodavathi competing in the Open Sight Air Rifle category. 

Apart from shooting, Preeth has distinguished herself as a mountaineer. She scaled Mount Kilimanjaro in 2023 and Mount Elbrus in 2024, adding two of the world’s highest peaks to her list of achievements. She is married to Advocate Jammada M. Aiyanna. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / June 28th, 2026

A hockey story from coffee-country

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Sandhya Kumar’s documentary ‘Hockey In My Blood’ tells the story of the Kodava community’s passion for the game.

Sandhya Kumar

Over 3,000 players — men, women, and children — of the Kodava community from Coorg gather annually for the family hockey tournament in the midst of coffee plantations, summer vacations and the wedding season.

It’s regarded as the world’s largest field-hockey tournament. Curious about this sociological phenomenon and their passionate love for the game that forms the glue, binding generations, Bengaluru-based documentary filmmaker Sandhya Kumar decided to make a film.

After two years of research, several visits to Coorg, interviewing players and hosting families, crowd-funding, and filming the 2013 tournament, her film Hockey In My Blood is ready to be aired at this year’s tournament.

The 52-minute film is in English and Kodava-takk (with English subtitles). The 19th edition of the Kuppanda Cup Kodava Hockey Namme 2015 is currently underway at Virajpet (Coorg) and Sandhya’s film will be screened at the festival on May 7, two days before the finale.

The tournament is played over a month, with a series of about 250 knockout matches, played by anywhere between 220 to 260 teams — each team being one family. Many of the players have played for the State and National teams; some are even former Olympians. Every year, one family hosts the tournament.

“It’s the coming together of people that fascinated me. It’s a family tournament, with no big money or stakes involved. The Kodavas are a sports-obsessed community. Most of the people don’t live in Coorg — they live and work mostly in Bangalore, Mangalore, and Mysore — but have an estate and family to go back to in Coorg. When you have to put together a team of 11, contacting third and fourth cousins you’re otherwise not really in touch with, it is something. Within the clan there are classes — a carpenter may be playing alongside a banker — but the point is every one comes together for this,” explains Sandhya.

Armed with an MFA in Film from the San Francisco Art Institute, and an MA in Mass Communication from Jamia Millia Islamia University, Sandhya has been making documentaries since 2007. She won the President’s National Film Award of India (2013) for her documentary O Friend, This Waiting! After she moved to Bangalore three years ago when she married, she missed her close-knit film community in Delhi; so, along with fellow filmmakers, Sandhya helped revive Vikalp Bengaluru, a forum that regularly screens the best of documentary films from all over the world.

The story of Hockey In My Blood started when a Kodava friend of Sandhya’s was talking about the tournament, and suggested “Why don’t you make a film on it?” “There were no books on the subject, very few people in Bangalore knew about it. I only had newspaper articles to fall back on and I hadn’t been to Coorg before that. Later, when I was in Coorg for a wedding, I became interested in the community sociologically, and their passion for hockey when the rest of the country was obsessed with cricket.”

Her friend Deepthi Bopaiah offered help and introduced her to the host family for 2013 — the Madanda family, and the tournament’s coordinator Thimmaiah Madanda.

There were initial apprehensions about her making the film. But when they met up, they were pleased that someone was interested in this phenomenon, adds Sandhya.

Through the organiser, she identified players she wanted to interview and film. While she started filming impulsively with her own funds, film grants were few to come by. She soon found a need to crowdfund the film — in about five months, she raised Rs. 7 lakhs from family and friends through the Orange Street platform. “I met this young boy called Prajwal. He and his family lived on a small estate, and along with his brother he practised hockey in the coffee-drying yard in front of their home. We filmed him extensively. The film was shot in Balugodu, Virajpet, Palangala, Murnad, and the Karnataka State Hockey Association. Participants start practising just about a week before the tournament, because most live far off; some players have even come in from Dubai to participate.”

Sandhya also met Pandanda Kuttanni, who is well into his 70s, and the founder of the concept of this tournament. “He said he was in Delhi during the 1982 Asiad cup and felt Coorg needed a tournament like this to bring together a people who were moving away from home,” recalls Sandhya.

At the end of it all, Sandhya says: “It’s the commitment of the players to their families, the extent they will go to, to give up whatever they are doing to go back home to Coorg, and play for family — that was my best takeaway from the film.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Metroplus / by Bhumika K / April 24th, 2015

Interview with Thimmaiah Madanda, Coach, Bangalore Warhawks (EFLI): “We have some class players going forward to season 2”

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Thimmaiah Madanda is a decorated rugby union player for the Indian national team who has since 2011 taken the plunge into American football as the Head Coach of the Bangalore Warhawks outfit.

His players and his contemporaries hold Thimmaiah in high regard, both as a player and a coach. His Bangalore team was one of the best performers in the inaugural season of the Elite Football League of India (EFLI). Their run came to an end in the semi-finals, but not before impressing a large number of people with their exciting brand of football.

A heap of praise for that can be placed at the feet of Thimmaiah, who happens to be one of the first persons to join the EFLI bandwagon. Sportskeeda caught up with him for a brief chat on his experiences playing rugby and American football.

What were you engaged with before EFLI? And how did you come into contact with American football and EFLI?

I was working for Indian Rugby Union as Rugby Development Officer in Bangalore region. I was contacted by Mr Sandeep and Mr Richard to work with EFLI.

You have a rugby background; how do you think that helped you out? Was it easier for you because of that?

I was anyways following American Football and i knew the sport. I had to just go in depth after I joined EFLI to know more about American Football.

How long have you been a rugby player and how long have you been a coach?

I started playing Rugby Union in the year 2006 and been coaching kids and adults from NGO and schools from then onward. I thought by volunteer coaching i will spread the sport (rugby) and also learn more about Rugby which helped me while playing different levels of rugby i.e. domestic and international.

So keeping that in mind, American football is a new game. How did you attract athletes to come and try out for this game?

In India there is always a craze for a new sport and also when its Western sports we get more followers. It was a great opportunity and also a challenge to explore. I had to travel to lot of places to invite athletes for tryouts. and assure them that it was a great opportunity. Also many people in our state were already following me while playing rugby union for our nation and it was easy to approach them.

American football is a physical game. How are you taking care of the safety of the players?

All the players are insured before they start training. We don’t play with too much contact during training sessions so that we can avoid injuries.

Did you have any issues with convincing the parents of the youngsters in making them join American football?

Yes with some parents. There were kids with real talent, but whose parents didn’t want them to play this sport. So I had to speak to them and convince them.

You were one of the star teams in season 1. You had lots of success. How did your team take lesser time to adapt and start playing well so quickly?

Any team sport has to have right player in the right position in the team and with that instil some confidence in the players and respect the players. When it came to playing, we had some real great training sessions in Bangalore.

How is the American football scene in India in general and in Bangalore & Karnataka in particular?

American Football is a new sport. And it’s a western sport as well. In Bangalore there is a trend to follow western sport.

Thimmaiah (left) with Bangalore Warhawks Wide Receiver, Navaneeth ‘Chamber’ Shanta (right)

While growing up, there are lot of sports and games that we play in school, like cricket, football (soccer), tennis, volleyball, athletics, hockey, basketball, etc. but American football is something that is very, very rare, even in colleges. So how do you think the game can be introduced to children and youngsters?

Yes American Football is a rare sport. But if we introduce a great program for each region we can excel in promoting the sport.

In India these athletes must have been very new to the game. So yourself and the American coaches, what were the aspects that you asked the players to work on first?

American Football is a sport which can be played anywhere and by anybody. We only worked on basics which helped us to play a good level of sport.

What are the basic types of drills that you put the players through?

We improved their hand-eye coordination, strength, speed and some ball drills.

Also, there must be specific drills for each position. So can you tell us about what drills are there for each position, like Running Back, Quarter Back, Wide Receiver, Lineman, Tight End, etc.?

This sport is position oriented. So when we have specific training for positions we have different drills which we work on with the players.

What is the current size of the Bangalore roster?

We have 35 players.

What are the locations from which you have scouted and recruited players?

Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Mangalore, Mysore and Kodagu (Coorg).

Do you have a team of any assistant coaches or junior coaches helping you?

Yes I have 2 assistant coaches helping me.

How often do you conduct camps for the players?

That depends on the schedule of our season.

Your players have heaped a lot of praise on you and have even said that Bangalore has the best coach of all the teams. What do you have to say about that?

It’s their personal thought ! I have done my job with great respect.

What was the main strength of the Bangalore team according to you?

Bangalore players are smart and technically prepared.

Do you see American football growing as a sport in India in the long run?

Yes I do.

Coming to Bangalore team, you had very good first season and some star players emerged from your team. Is there added pressure going into season 2? And what are your expectations from season 2?

I am happy that we have some class players going forward to season 2.

source: http://www.sportskeeda.com / SportsKeeda / Home> Giridiron / by SportsKeeda Desk / April 17th, 2014

ouharda Cup Cricket: Media Super Kings Emerge Champions

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Media Super Kings clinched the championship title in the district-level turf “Souharda Cup” cricket tournament jointly organized by Kodagu Press Club Souharda Sahakari Sangha Limited and the Virajpet Taluk Working Journalists’ Association.

Eight teams participated in the tournament held at Siddapur. In the final match, Media Super Kings secured victory with strong performances from Jayaprakash (26 runs), Ismail (28 runs), and Rejith (18 runs.

Earlier rounds saw competitive matches, including a tied qualifier resolved by a super over.

Awards were distributed to outstanding players, including Best Batsman, Best Bowler, Man of the Series, and others.

The tournament was inaugurated by international rugby player Madanda Thimmaiah, who highlighted the importance of sports in relieving stress among journalists.

Speakers at the event emphasized the need for physical fitness and unity through sports.

A suggestion was also made to establish a turf ground in the district center.

source: http://www.clnews.in / Coffeeland News / Home> Sports / by CLN Newsdesk / April 25th, 2026

Season-2 of KHPL from July 3 to 5

Records, All, Sports, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022)

A group photo of the Mysuru Kodava Samaja Youth Wing team, who will be hosting the Kodava Hockey Premier League in Mysuru.

10 franchises take part in players’ auction, total

of 174 players drafted to various teams

Mysuru – The stage is set for the second edition of the Kodava Hockey Premier League (KHPL), with organisers successfully conducting the player auction ahead of the much-anticipated tournament scheduled to be held from July 3 to 5 at the Chamundi Vihar Stadium Hockey Turf in city.

Organised by the Kodava Samaja Youth Wing Mysuru in association with Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, under the aegis of Hockey Mysore, KHPL has emerged as a unique franchise-based hockey competition aimed at promoting the  sport while nurturing emerging talent from the Kodava community.

The player auction, held at a private hotel in city, witnessed enthusiastic participation from franchise owners, players, community leaders and hockey enthusiasts.

More than 268 players had registered for the league, from which 174 players were drafted across 10 franchise teams, while 30 icon players were retained by their respective franchises.

Every franchise squad comprises 18 players and is mandated to include two U-18 players and one woman player. The format provides young players with an opportunity to share the dressing room and playing field alongside experienced professional and national-level players, thereby gaining valuable exposure, mentorship and first-hand learning experiences.

The auction ceremony was attended by Kodava Samaja Mysuru President Ponjanda Ganapathy, Vice-President Machimada P. Nanaiah, Treasurer Kottangada Pemmaiah, Pandanda Bopanna and Muddanda Rashin Subbaiah besides several office-bearers and members of the Kodava community.

A symbolic highlight of the event was the ceremonial handover of the rolling trophy by Pale Taluk, champions of the inaugural edition, marking the commencement of another competitive season.

Organisers have confirmed that all matches of KHPL Season-2 will also be telecast live on YouTube, enabling supporters and hockey enthusiasts worldwide to follow the three-day tournament.

According to the organisers, KHPL has evolved into more than just a sporting competition, serving as a platform for youth empowerment, grassroots hockey development and community engagement. Several players associated with previous editions have progressed to higher levels of competition, underscoring the league’s growing contribution to the sport.

With an expected footfall of over 8,000 spectators and a projected digital reach exceeding 20,000 viewers through live streaming, KHPL Season-2 is expected to draw significant attention from hockey enthusiasts.

The three-day tournament promises high-quality hockey action, competitive rivalries and a celebration of the Kodava community’s longstanding contribution to Indian hockey.

For further information interested may contact Kodaga Samaja Youth Wing President Varun Nanjappa Hanchettira on Mob: 89519-49351 or e-mail: ksywmysuru@gmail.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / June 09th,2026

Aditi Chauhan, MM Somaiya to be government observers for Vinesh Phogat’s Asiad trial

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Backed by the Supreme Court, Vinesh Phogat will compete in the Asian Games selection trials on Saturday with IOA and Sports Ministry observers present, ensuring transparency in a closely watched wrestling showdown.

Aditi Chauhan, MM Somaiya to be government observers for Vinesh Phogat’s Asiad trial (Image: PTI)

Former footballer Aditi Chauhan and Olympic gold-winning ex-hockey captain M M Somaiya will be the two observers from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Sports Ministry when Vinesh Phogat competes in the high-profile women’s wrestling trials for the Asian Games here on Saturday.

According to a well-placed source, Chauhan would be representing the IOA and Somaiya would be the observer from Ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here.

The 31-year-old Phogat got the go ahead to appear in the trial from the Supreme Court on Friday.

She had been first permitted to fight by the Delhi High Court after challenging a suspension imposed by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) citing procedural and disciplinary violations by her, including a missed dope test last year.

The WFI challenged the HC order in the top court, which too refused to stop Phogat.

“Today at this stage, the high court having passed the order, the hope and expectations have risen. To tell her to go back home and we can’t do anything, will not be proper. We are very bold in telling you this,” the bench told the counsel appearing for the WFI.

The Delhi HC had asked the ministry to appoint observers for the trials while chiding WFI for trying to prevent Phogat from competing.

Chauhan, a trailblazing former goalkeeper who played professionally in the UK with West Ham United, is currently the Program Officer for the IOA’s Athlete Commission (Safeguarding & National Olympic Academy), having been appointed to the role earlier this year.

She made 57 appearances for India before retiring.

Somaiya was a part of the 1980 Olympic gold-winning Indian hockey team and captained the side in the 1988 Seoul Games. Somaiya is also an Arjuna awardee.

Earlier this month, the WFI had declared Phogat ineligible to participate in domestic events till June 26, saying that she had still not completed the mandatory six-month notice period for a retired athlete’s return.

Phogat, however, had turned up at the National Open Ranking Tournament in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda only to return without competing. Her bitter feud with WFI dates back to 2023 when she led a street protest against the then federation Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment.

source: http://www.indiatoday.in / India Today / Home> News> Sports> Other Sports / by Press Trust of India / May 29th, 2026

Velavan Senthilkumar, Joshna Chinappa Clinch Double Titles at National Doubles Squash Championships in Chennai

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022)

Velavan Senthilkumar and Joshna Chinappa recorded a ‘double’ each in the 3rd National Doubles Squash Championships in Chennai on Saturday

Chennai: 

Velavan Senthilkumar and Joshna Chinappa recorded a ‘double’ each in the 3rd National Doubles Squash Championships in Chennai on Saturday, clinching the mixed title together after bagging the men’s and women’s doubles crowns with their respective partners. Senthilkumar-Joshna, the top seed, defeated second-seeded Abhay Singh-Rathika Seelan 11-7, 11-9 in a keenly-contested final at the Indian Squash Academy.

Earlier, Abhay and Senthilkumar, the top seed, won the men’s doubles crown for a third straight year, by beating second-seeded Rahul Baitha-Suraj Kumar Chand 11-8, 11-5 in the title-round.

In the day’s first match, top seed Joshna-Rathika beat Janet Vidhi-Pooja Arthi 11-8, 11-4 in the women’s doubles final. IANS

source: http://www.sentinelassam.com / The Sentinel / Home / by Sentinel Digital Desk / May 17th, 2026