Nearly a month after the Kodava hockey tournament started at Napoklu in Kodagu district, the finals were held on Sunday.

The Kuppanda family team beat 3-time champion Kulletira team by a margin of 4-2 goals in the shoot out. Kuppanda became champion for the first time in the 23rd edition of the hockey tournament.

Madikeri :

Nearly a month after the Kodava hockey tournament started at Napoklu in Kodagu district, the finals were held on Sunday. The Kuppanda family team beat 3-time champion Kulletira team by a margin of 4-2 goals in the shoot out. Kuppanda became champion for the first time in the 23rd edition of the hockey tournament.

Kulletira had won the tournaments in 1998, 1999 and 2002.

It entered finals for the first time since 16 years, while for the Kuppanda team it was their first shot at the title.

Kuppanda and Kulletira scored one goal each in the stipulated time period. Then they were given a shoot out opportunity which resulted in the Kuppanda team win the match by 4-2 goals. Kuppanda Somaiah scored a goal for his team in the 16th minute of play while Kulletira Avinash equalised the score for his team in the 22nd minute.

Kuppanda team received Rs 3 lakh cash and a trophy. Satisfied with the runners-up title, Kulletia team got two lakhs and a trophy. The winners will also get a rolling trophy given by the Kodava Hockey Academy. A cultural programme was organised before the final tournament. Kodava traditional dances were performed in the middle of the field , and many hockey fans from the district and outside the district took part, Kodava family members witnessed this exciting match in Napoklu in the scorching sun.

The 24th year of hockey is planned in 2024 by the Kundyolanda family team.

The main guests on the occasion were Pandanda Leela Kuttappa wife of the Kodava hockey founder late Pandanda Kuttappa, Air Marshal Baltikalanda U Chengappa, Kuttanda Sudhin Mandanna of Kaig Group, former Indian hockey captain Dhanraj Pilley, Olympian Cheppudira S Poonacha, Triple Olympian Zafar Iqbal, Olympian Anjaparavanda B Subbaiah, Cheranda Kishen, Ajjikuttira Kanchan Ponnanna and others.

Appachettolanda Mittu Erappa presided. Kodava Hockey Academy president Pandnada K Bopanna inaugurated. Convener of the tournament Appachettolanda Manu Muthappa was present.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Mysuru News / by G Rajendra, TNN / April 10th, 2023