Hockey and Kodagu are inseparable and in an effort to promote the national game and emulate the success of the Annual Kodava Hockey festival held in Kodagu, seven Kodava enthusiasts replicated the success in various forms across the state.
To keep alive and to revive the interest in hockey, not just among the Kodavas but also in various parts of the state, Coorg Orange Club was formed. The club, which claims to have the sole aim of promoting India’s most accomplished game, held a 5-a-side rink hockey tournament in the city recently. “The response to the tournament was astounding and it renewed our faith in the game and the love for it,” Codanda Shan Kuttappa said.
Thirty three Kodava sanghas (Associations) from the city and nearly 20 family teams participated in the faster format of the game. The land of coffee, rum and pork has produced some of the most memorable names in the game. “MP Ganesh, BP Govinda, PE Kalaiah, MM Sommaiah, BK Subramani, AB Subbaiah, C S Poonacha, K K Poonacha, Vinod Chinappa, Kodendra Kusha are some of the players who put Kodagu on the world hockey map,” Kuttappa said.
Speaking to City Express about the introduction of the 5-a-side tournament that concluded recently, former Indian goalkeeper AB Subbaiah said, “It’s the best thing to have happened to hockey. The game is faster, better and we have had a good response. You see small children walking around holding hockey sticks and watching the game with an interest that makes one feel proud and happy. You see people of all age groups and gender present here and we are like one big family on a weekend picnic.”
But is hockey getting its due encouragement? Former Indian Goal Keeper, PU Bopanna lamented that there is support only for cricket and no other sport in the country.
“Earlier, we used to have 18 to 20 tournaments a year which has now reduced to 6. If we succeed we will plan hockey tournaments for all communities across Karnataka in all schools and colleges. We have to tap the talent when they are young”.
Inferring the contribution of the entire state to the game, M A Bopanna said that they had to reach places like Gadag and Belgaum from which players like late Bandu Patil had emerged in the past. “The Coorg Orange Club will also try to reach out to players with financial problems,” he added.
Even family members and players, belonging to teams that lost earlier in the tournament were seen cheering for teams playing for the trophy. Vivek Mekerira, one among the audience said, “Our team lost in the quarter finals but you will always know people in other teams. Someone is your father’s old friend while someone else is your neighbour and hence it is a win-win situation for us all.”
On participation of women in the game, a former player, Shilpa Mekerira said, “We played with men as one team and the tournament has provided a good platform to bring all families together but it will be nice to see an all women team contesting for the trophy.”