The 12th Kodava Family Hockey Utsav was inaugurated at the Ponnampete Government Pre University College ground on Sunday.
The utsav which is being organised by the Alamengada family was inaugurated by Bangalore Kodava Samaj President Berera Shambhu Ayyanna by striking the ball with the silver hockey stick.
The inaugural programme was followed by a march past by the Mysore Police band.
The Puja kunita and ‘dollu kunita by Devaraj troupe from Mandya was appreciated by the spectators but the absence of Kodagu’s very own folk dance ‘Ummattat’ was a factor of disappointment for all.
Spectators expressed their disappointment saying that if Kodava culture and folkart is sidelined by the Kodava organisers themselves, then where will the Kodava arts find a place.
Earlier, Alamengada family members held a special prayer at Ponnampete Basaveshwara Temple and then took out a procession in all major roads of the city wearing their traditional attire.
 The utsav will be held till May 12 and during the utsav as many as 216 teams from various Kodava families will take part in the Utsav.
The tournament that started on Sunday afternoon witnessed the opening game with the host team Alamengada against Mandetira team in which the host team lost to the Mandetiras.
 Bharath Ayyappa of the Mandetira team struck a goal and secured victory to his team.
In the second part, Pucchimanda team won over Thadiyangadi team while in the third game, Pucchimada team won over Mukalera.
In the fourth game, both the teams were equally strong but finally Ballimada team won over the Ponnimadas and thus entered the next round.