Maneyapanda family hockey utsav starts

Union Minister for Sports M S Gill flagged off the hockey utsav by releasing  balloons in the air. 

Speaking on the occasion, he said “Kodava family hockey festival is unique in the history of Indian hockey. About 800 Ain families come together without seeking any financial aid from Centre and State governments to organise the hockey tournaments, which is highly commendable.” 

Lieutenant General Ballachanda K Changappa said that Kodagu has been playing a vital role in Indian hockey.

Later, Kodava hockey utsav founder Pandanda Kuttappa, Union Minister for Sports M S Gill, Lieutenant General Ballachanda K Changappa inaugurated the tournament by moving silver ball in silver hockey sticks.

Maneyapanda S Appayya welcomed the gathering. M W Ayyappa, GP President Kolera Daya Changappa, SP Manjunath Annigeri, former athlete Ashwini Nachappa and others were present.  Earlier Maneyapanda Hockey Utsav President Brigadier (retd) M A Devaiah hoisted Kodava family flag.

Later, in the match between Kodagu 11 led by Olympian C S Poonaccha defeated Indian Olympian Star team led by Dhanraj Pillai 3-2 goals.

In the beginning of the match, Indian Olympian Star Team’s Shameer Daad opened the account for his team in the 15th minute. Later, Kodagu team’s Nithin Thimmaiah scored the goal in the 25th minute.

Deepak Takur of Indian Olympian scored the goal in 32nd minute.

However, later Kodagu’s Ayyappa equalled the goal in the 42nd minute. In the last minute, Somanna of Kodagu 11 scored another goal for his team.