Pandanda Kuttappa (Kuttani) along with his brother Pandanda Kashi Ponnappa conceived the idea of Kodava Family Hockey Festival in 1997 which draws thousands of hockey lovers to Coorg where families showcase fierce rivalry as well as tremendous passion for the sport during matches
Bengaluru: Hockey India (HI) on Friday (May 8) condoled the death of Pandanda Kuttappa (Kuttani), a legendary figure in the region of Karnataka’s Coorg who gave the sport the world famous family hockey tournament exclusively for the Kodava families.
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Paying a tribute to the 85-year-old, HI recalled his contribution to the sport and his crucial role in popularising the game in the southern region and further contributing to Coorg being popularly called the breeding ground for hockey stars.
He, along with his brother Pandanda Kashi Ponnappa conceived the idea of Kodava Family Hockey Festival in 1997 which draws thousands of hockey lovers to Coorg where families showcase fierce rivalry as well as tremendous passion for the sport during matches.
Fondly known as 'Kuttani', he was conferred with the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 2015.
Hockey India mourns the demise of Mr. Pandanda Kuttappa. Folded hands
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Interestingly, this tournament had no gender bar for participating teams and women too could enter in the same team as their male counterparts. On an average, 250 families send their teams for the tournament which is usually played in the month of April-May every year.
Condoling his demise, Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad, President, HI, said, “We are truly saddened by the demise of Pandanda Kuttappa on 7 May 2020. We share his family's grief and pray for his soul. Kuttappa's contribution to hockey especially in the Kodava region will be remembered for generations. The Family Hockey Tournament not only drew thousands to the hockey pitch but it also inspired a generation of hockey stars who went on to represent India and win laurels for the country.”
Kuttappa was Karnataka Rajyotsava Award winner and he also was a former first-division hockey umpire.
Pandanda Kutappa united scattered Coorg families with a game the Coorgis love;Hockey,the community looks forward to the Annual event.Iwas fortunate to innagurate the first event at Karada as Suprentendent of Police,Coorgin 1997 Long live Kuttappa and Hockey🙏 pic.twitter.com/EQNEGRhB8G
— Bhaskar Rao IPS (@deepolice12)