Kodava Hockey Festival – One of the World’s Largest Family Hockey Tournaments
Introduction The Kodava Hockey Festival is one of India’s most extraordinary sporting celebrations, held every year in the scenic Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka. Unlike regular hockey tournaments, this event is special because each team represents a Kodava family or clan. The festival combines sports, tradition, and family bonding, making it one of the largest family-based hockey tournaments in the world. Over time, it has become an important symbol of Kodava culture, unity, and passion for hockey. History of the Festival The tournament was started in 1997 by Pandanda Kuttappa, a former hockey referee who wanted to encourage the younger generation to take interest in the sport while also bringing Kodava families together. The first edition, called the Pandanda Cup, included around 60 family teams. Due to its success and growing popularity, the event soon became an annual tradition celebrated by the Kodava community. A One-of-a-Kind Tournament What makes the Kodava Hock...